“India is that immortal seed which may be suppressed a little under adverse circumstances, may wither a little, but it cannot die,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, highlighting the rich cultural history of the country.

India, he said, was the most refined idea of human civilisation, the most natural voice of humanity.

The PM was addressing a programme celebrating Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary via video conferencing at Puducherry under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He also released a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Sri Aurobindo.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, he said “India was immortal even in the time of Maharishi Aurobindo, and it is immortal even today in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal.”

Noting the dire challenges faced by the world of today, the PM underlined the importance of India’s role in overcoming these challenges. “That’s why we have to prepare ourselves by taking inspiration from Maharishi Aurobindo and create a developed India by Sabka Prayas”, he added.

Modi said the life of Sri Aurobindo was a reflection of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ as he was born in Bengal and knew many languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit. He spent most of his life in Gujarat and Puducherry and left a deep imprint wherever he went.

Throwing light on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, he remarked that when ”we become aware of our traditions and culture and begin to live through them, it is at that moment when our diversity becomes a natural celebration of our lives.”

He recalled the opportunity to take part in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and remarked that the wonderful event was a great example of how India has remained together through its culture and traditions. ”Kashi Tamil Sangamam showed that today’s youth is leaving behind the politics that differentiates on the basis of language and dress and is embracing the politics of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Today in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the Amrit Kaal, we have to expand the spirit of Kashi Tamil Sangamam,”  he said.

The PM pointed out that Sri Aurobindo was such a personality whose life had a modern scientific temper, political rebelliousness and a sense of the divine as well. He recalled his ‘no compromise’ slogan during the division of Bengal. His ideological clarity, cultural strength and patriotism made him a role model for the freedom fighters of that time.

Modi said India was embracing all views in its journey of developed India without any feeling of inferiority. ”We are working with the Mantra of ‘India First’ and placing our heritage with pride before the entire world,” he added.