Lord Rama above caste, religion, region: PM Narendra Modi

Aditi Tandon

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New Delhi, January 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Lord Rama was a deity revered globally and Ramayana an epic of influence across cultures, nations and regions.

PM Modi’s remarks came at a time when the opposition is accusing the ruling BJP of converting the January 22 Ram Mandir inauguration into a political event.

PM sleeping on floor, having coconut water

The 11-day purity ritual which PM Modi is practising in order to earn his place as “yajman” (chief patron) at the consecration ceremony on January 22 entails sleeping on the floor and having just coconut water. The 11-day spiritual code called “Yam Niyam” in Hindu scriptures is characterised by penance which involves purifying the body and soul through meditation and consumption of satvik food.

PM to listen to Gurmukhi, Kashmiri Ramkatha on eve of consecration ceremony

“Teachings related to Lord Ram, Maa Sita and Ramayana are linked to the life of every individual. These are beyond the boundaries of time, caste, religion and region. Even in the toughest of times Ramayana set examples of sacrifice, unity and courage and remained a testament to the victory of love. That is why it binds the entire humanity,” PM said after releasing six commemorative stamps on Ram Mandir ahead of January 22 consecration ceremony in Ayodhya and a compendium featuring postal stamps on Lord Ram issued by other countries.

Amid deepening political divides ahead of the General Election where Ram Mandir has emerged as a key campaign point, the Prime Minister spoke of Lord Ram as a unifying rather than a divisive force and said Ramayana was a centre of attraction globally for the high ideals it preached.

“Across countries and civilisations there is great enthusiasm about Ramayana. Today’s stamp releases reveal how Lord Ram, Maa Sita are seen with pride worldwide…the younger generation will find it interesting to watch how different countries have issued postal stamps dedicated to Lord Ram. America, Canada, Australia, Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Thailand, Guyana, Singapore, and many others have, with tremendous reverence, released postal stamps on various aspects related to Lord Rama’s life,” the PM said stressing the global appeal of Lord Ram who, he said, “was as much of a great ideal worldwide as in India”. The stamps bear the following design elements — the Ram Mandir, Ramayan Choupai ‘Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari’, the Sun, the Saryu and sculptures in and around Ram Temple.

No info on foreign VIPs for Jan 22: MEA

The MEA has said it has no information about foreign dignitaries visiting Ayodhya on January 22. “The Ayodhya programme is decided by the trust. It’s up to them to decide on foreign presence,’’ said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.