PM praises role of Christians in healthcare, education
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on the Christian community on Monday for its role in the freedom movement and in various fields like healthcare and education, and said the country proudly acknowledges its contribution.
In an interaction with the members of the community at his residence here on Christmas, Modi said the values of compassion, inclusivity and justice for all propagated by Jesus Christ also served as a “guiding light” in his government’s development journey.
Praising the community for playing an important role in giving direction to the society and sense of service, he noted that Mahatma Gandhi had said the Non-cooperation Movement was conceived under the patronage of Sushil Kumar Rudra, the then Principal of St. Stephen’s College.
Modi also recalled his old, intimate and warm relations with Christians since his days as the Gujarat chief minister and said they have always been at the forefront in serving the poor and deprived.
Many thinkers and leaders from the community were part of the country’s freedom struggle, he said, adding that educational and healthcare institutions run by the community continue to make a big contribution across India.
Modi said Jesus Christ’s life message was centred on compassion and service, and he worked for an inclusive society where justice was for all.
These values are serving as a “guiding light” in his government’s development journey, the prime minister said and noted that the Upanishads, considered the fount of Hindi philosophy, also focused on realising the absolute truth like the Bible.
In his remarks, Modi said people can focus on their shared values and heritage to move forward, and the spirit of cooperation and coordination, coupled with the spirit of “sabka prayas”, can take the country to a new height.