New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the teachings of Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony and brotherhood and it is important that everyone works to strengthen this spirit.
Addressing the Christmas celebrations organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, the Prime Minister stressed that it is heart-wrenching when there are attempts to spread violence and create disorder in the society.
This is the first time that the Prime Minister has attended such an event at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India (CBCI).
Citing the Christmas market attacks in Germany and the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, Modi said it was important to fight such challenges together.
The Prime Minister said that the Bible teaches to bear one another’s burdens, to care for one another and to take responsibility for one another’s welfare.
Whether it is establishing a new school, uplifting the community through education or implementing health initiatives to serve the people, organizations and associations will play an important role in social services with this mindset, he said. Modi said these efforts are seen as a collective responsibility.
Reiterating that Jesus Christ showed the world the path of compassion and selfless service, the Prime Minister said, “We celebrate Christmas and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives and always prioritize our duties. It is not only our personal responsibility but also our social duty.”
He said, today the nation is moving forward with this spirit with the resolution of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Bikas, Sabka Tryas’. There were many subjects which had never been thought of before, but they were the most necessary from the human point of view. We made them our priority. “
The Prime Minister emphasized that only the human-centric approach adopted by India can take the world of the 21st century to new heights.
He said it was a very satisfying moment for his father, Alexis Prem Kumar, who was brought back safely from war-torn Afghanistan a decade ago. “He was stuck there for eight months and was held hostage… For us, all these missions are not just diplomatic missions but an emotional commitment to bring back the family members,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the India of today sees it as its duty to bring its citizens to safety, wherever they are or whatever crisis they face. He said that when the Covid pandemic hit, many countries that talked a lot about human rights pulled back from helping poor countries. “India has gone beyond its capacity to help poor countries during Covid and has provided medicines to more than 150 countries. India has provided vaccines to many countries, said the Prime Minister.
Modi also said it was a proud moment for Pope Francis to make his illustrious George Kouvakad a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) was established in 1944 and is an organization that works closely with all Catholics across India.