Culture is nation’s first line of defence: Rajnath Singh

Bharat Mata Temple gave living form to cultural nationalism, asserts Dhami
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Haridwar, 6 Feb: The three-day grand ceremony organised for the idol installation at the Samadhi Mandir of the late Brahmalin Gurudev Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj formally concluded today with the installation of the Samadhi Mandir and the statue of Guru Satyanandmitra Giri amid the presence of seers, spiritual leaders and national-level political figures. On the concluding day, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CM of UP Brajesh Pathak and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, along with a large number of saints and eminent guests, reached the Samadhi Sthal and offered floral tributes.
The three-day event witnessed large participation of the seers, religious thinkers, social workers and the political leaders from across the country. On this occasion, in-depth deliberations were also held on national consciousness, Sanatan culture, the guru–disciple tradition and service to humanity. Addressing the gathering on the banks of the Ganga during today’s event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it is a privilege for him to be present at the sacred land of Haridwar on such an occasion. Paying obeisance to Mother Ganga, he remembered the sages and seers and said that although Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj is not physically present today, his spiritual discipline, thoughts and philosophy of life continue to guide society. He said the consecration of the statue symbolises the revival of the Gurudev’s life values and ideological vision. Singh asserted that culture is the first line of defence for any nation.

Rajnath Singh further observed that Haridwar is not merely a pilgrimage destination but the nucleus of India’s cultural consciousness, from where the uninterrupted stream of Indian civilisation flows. He emphasised that the national security does not pertain only to territorial boundaries and that safeguarding cultural roots is equally important. He cautioned that, when culture weakens, the nation also weakens. He described Sanatan culture, Advaita Vedanta, the devotional tradition and the guru–disciple dialogue as the very soul of India. He asserted that modernity and culture are not mutually opposing forces but they complement each other. Singh added that when moral values are integrated with technological knowledge, no power can weaken the nation. On the occasion, Singh also called upon the youth to actively participate in nation-building and stressed the collective responsibility of protecting the country’s integrity, sovereignty and pride.
Welcoming the dignitaries to Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Gurudev Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj gave a unique direction to society by connecting spiritual practice with social service. He said that through the establishment of the Bharat Mata Temple, the great sage gave a tangible form to the ideals of patriotism and cultural pride. The CM added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s Sanatan culture and heritage are receiving global recognition, and Uttarakhand is steadily moving ahead on the path of development while maintaining harmony with its cultural and spiritual legacy.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj was a powerful torchbearer of the Sanatan tradition and that compassion, fraternity and patriotism were the guiding principles of his life. Describing the Bharat Mata Temple as a symbol of national unity, he said it weaves the entire country into one thread, rising above divisions of caste, region and language.
Union Minister for Power and Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar said he has always drawn inspiration and guidance from the saintly tradition and expressed his gratitude for being part of the sacred occasion.
Haridwar Member of Parliament Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the Bharat Mata Temple had been founded with the vision of a national temple and that this vision is being further strengthened today. He also lauded the doctors providing medical services along the Char Dham routes, describing their work as true service to the nation.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ritu Khanduri Bhushan reminded that Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj remains an eternal guide for the nation, religion and human consciousness, and that his entire life was dedicated to Sanatan culture and the welfare of humanity.
Among those who were present on this occasion included Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara, Karshni Peethadhishwar Swami Guru Sharananand Maharaj, UP Deputy M Brajesh Pathak, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, MLA Premchand Aggarwal, and a large number of monks, public representatives, senior administrative officers and devotees.