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 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the world today recognises India as a military power to be reckoned with, due to the Indian government's pitching in for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India), which is based on "Prosperity through industry" preaching of the Sree Narayan Guru of Sivgiri Mutt, Kerala.

He was addressing the congregation of saints and learned elders gathered at the Sivagiri Mutt to celebrate the 'Tirthdanam Mahotasav' on Friday.

"His preaching of "Prosperity through industry" is the basis of the Government of India's resolution of "Self-reliant India". Today India is one of the largest economies of the world because of its hard work and enterprise. Today India has become the top five economies of the world," Singh said and added, "It was the far-sightedness of Shri Narayana Guru that he ordered Sivagiri Mutt to spread consciousness among the common people on subjects like education, cleanliness etc. And with the grace of Guruji and the blessings of revered saints, our government has also focused its special attention on these subjects."

Invoking the 'Soldier Saint' concept, Singh said that as the Defence Minister he was securing the physical boundaries of the country on the strength of the bravery and valour of the soldiers, likewise the saintly soldiers were protecting the culture of the country.

"If we are protecting the body of the country, then you are protecting the soul of this country. And a nation can survive till eternity only when both its body and soul are safe. I congratulate you for this."

He added that self-reliance has been an intrinsic part of India's culture.

"Narayan Guruji spread this message of self-reliance in the public through his teachings, and today Sivagiri Mutt is also working to take it forward continuously. Guruji was not only in favour of modernity, but also maintaining a balance between India's ancient culture and modernity, which is relevant even today. It has been corroborated by India becoming one of the largest economies of the world through hard work and enterprise," Singh said.

Paying his tribute to the sacred land of Kerala that has produced great saints, philosophers, and poets, who not only ingrained high ideals and values in the heart of the common man, but also united the entire nation, the Union MInister said that Acharya Shankara, born in a small village Kaladi, travelled all over India and culturally integrated the entire nation which was unprecedented in itself.

"The principle of oneness of the whole world as postulated by his philosophy of Advaitvaad, is still embedded in the soul of the country inspiring different sections of the society to remain united and equal. Narayana Guru ji is undoubtedly one such name in the chain of enriching cultural unity," he added.

Discarding the criticism of Indian tradition, thinking and philosophy not being concerned with equality, liberty and fraternity, which is considered as a Western concept, Singh said that the concept of human equality and fraternity had been prevalent in the ancient literature, tradition and thinking of India. Rather It is more comprehensive and inclusive than that of the western one. Whereas the West talks about equality, liberty and fraternity only among human beings, the Indian tradition, in the form of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e. 'Whole world is one family' sees equality, fraternity and unity between human beings and animals, between animate and non-animate beings and in fact entire world and universe .

"And this is the reason why India was recognised as a Vishwaguru in ancient times," he added.

The Defence Minister also elaborated upon the equality and unity of world by quoting various texts and tenets of Vedas, Upanishad, Gita and Ramayan. He apprised the gathering of the ?Adaitvaad' of Acharya Shankara which is a synonym for universal equality. He mentioned that Narayan Guru gave the slogan of "freedom through education" during the freedom struggle.

"It is also found in our ancient commentaries that knowledge liberates a man. Education leads to enlightenment, which leads to freedom."

Sivagiri Mutt is a famous tourist pilgrimage place in Varkala town of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. The Mutt also headquarters Shree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organisation of Narayan Guru's disciples and followers. Sivagiri pilgrimage, known as Sivagiri Theerthadanam in Malayalam is another important festival celebrated in the Mutt.