Modi was speaking through video conference on the concluding day of a foot march organised by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to honour Mahatma Gandhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that before independence, there was a sense of duty among the citizens of India but now, that has turned into a sense of entitlement. Modi was speaking through video conference on the concluding day of a foot march organised by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to honour Mahatma Gandhi.
The march concluded at Lok Bharti Sanosara Sansthan — a fundamental educational institute inspired by Gandhi — in Bhavnagar. The Prime Minister addressed around 20,000 people in Gandhinagar.
He said, "Earlier, before independence, there was a sense of duty among the citizens of India. There were freedom fighters and leaders like Bapu, Bhagat Singh, and others but, common people also contributed to the freedom struggle. Anyone involved in any activity had profound feelings for the larger good of the nation. However, now, that sense has turned into a sense of entitlement."
"If our nation wants to progress in the right direction, there should be a balance between sense of duty and sense of entitlement. Every citizen of India should act for the welfare of the nation. The Mahatma believed to associate people from all walks of life with the freedom movement," the Prime Minister said.
He further added that the sanitation movement bore fruits of success across the nation due to the wholehearted support of its citizens. He appreciated Mandaviya for organising the yatra and expressed hopes that the union minister's efforts would lead to consolidation of Gandhian ethos among all generations in the state.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also present at the ceremony. He said, "Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Ram Rajya was not confined to any particular religion but, it was an integrating concept towards welfare. His concept of trusteeship will always make the youth accountable of their duties towards India."
Mandaviya, thanking all for the support, said, "More than 20,000 young people participated in this yatra. It shows that they always bore great respect towards Gandhi and Gandhian principles. His thoughts are pure gold, dust can gather on gold but, it does not rust. I have made an effort to remove dust from gold."
A 150-kilometre march was organised by Mandaviya as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.
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