From Ayodhya to Somnath, Modi restored India’s civilizational pride: Shah

Vadodara: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with removing the "inferiority complex" from people's minds and instilling self-confidence rooted in Sanatan Dharma, as he attended the Maha Aarti of Sarveshwar Mahadev at Sursagar Lake on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.Addressing a large gathering, Shah said that under Modi's leadership over the past 11 years, India has reclaimed pride in its cultural, spiritual and civilizational heritage. He cited the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after a wait of over 550 years, the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and the restoration of pilgrimage centres such as Mahakaleshwar Temple as examples of the govt's commitment to Sanatan traditions.
Referring to the Ayodhya temple, Shah said that while Lord Ram had remained in a tent for decades, a grand temple now stands at the birthplace. Speaking about the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, he said that despite destruction during the Mughal era, the shrine today symbolises the enduring strength of faith.Highlighting the Somnath Temple, Shah said it was rebuilt multiple times after repeated destruction, reflecting the resilience of Sanatan culture. He noted that the Centre observed "Somnath Swabhiman Varsh" to mark 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple and developed the Somnath corridor as part of efforts to restore national pride.Calling Vadodara's "Shivji Ki Savari" a matter of pride for the city, Shah congratulated organizers for sustaining the tradition since 1996. He praised the gold-plated adornment of the Sarveshwar Mahadev idol and said the grandeur of the procession reflected public devotion and the blessings of saints.Extensive security arrangements were made for the event, with around 3,000 police personnel deployed, along with teams from the State Reserve Police Force, State Armed Police Force and the State Disaster Response Force.