Modi greets people on Ugadi

New Delhi: Wishing people on Ugadi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the festival marks the beginning of human civilisation. “Ugadi ka arth hota hai 'ek yug ki shuruat' (Ugadi mean 'the beginning of an era). It is the festival of the beginning of human civilisation, it is the festival of the beginning of everything,” said Modi. He was addressing a programme to mark Ugadi in Srisailam via video conferencing.

“Mahrishi Ved Vyas had said that those who visit Srisailam rise above all ties,” he said. “Ugadi Pachchadi symbolises the life. Sweet and sour tastes remind us of the good and bad times we face during our lifetime. It gives us inspiration to work hard in life and achieve our targets,” he said. The Prime Minister went on to say that the country wants to break free of internal weaknesses.

“The people of the nation want to see it free of internal weaknesses, not only those based on caste or religion but all those factors which weaken it,” he said, adding, “There were numerous attempts to hurt our prestigious culture and traditions when India was chained to slavery. It tolerated everything and kept going ahead. What was it that kept it going? Saints like you.