New Delhi [India], January 5 : Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Monday linked India's current economic trajectory with the historical reconstruction of the Somnath temple, saying the vision articulated at the time of its consecration was now approaching fulfilment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press conference, Trivedi recalled Dr Rajendra Prasad's remarks during the reconstruction of the Somnath temple, linking its consecration to India regaining past prosperity.
"I want to remind that when Somnath was being reconstructed, India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad had said that the consecration of Somnath would be truly complete on the day its prosperity once again reaches the same height, the very prosperity that had once attracted the attack," he said.
The BJP MP said that India is now steadily moving towards that goal, citing the country's recent economic milestones. "Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving steadily towards that prosperity, as India has become the world's fourth-largest economy," Trivedi added.
Sudhanshu Trivedi added that the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in 1951, carried out despite opposition from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, marked the realisation of a long-held national aspiration.
"Today, a thousand years later, we see that in 1951, despite strong opposition from Jawaharlal Nehru, this dream was realised in the presence of the first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is progressing towards prosperity, and that dream is now nearing its fulfilment. The vision of the Somnath resolution is now becoming a reality"
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Somnath on January 11 to take part in the celebrations.
A year-long series of spiritual, cultural and social activities will be organised at Somnath to commemorate the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, officials said.
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv will be observed from January 8 to January 11, during which a range of programmes highlighting India's spiritual heritage, cultural pride and social values will be held.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned an 'OpEd', reflecting on the story of destruction and resurrection of the Somnath temple, asserting that hearing the word "Somnath" instils a sense of pride in hearts and minds.
PM recalled that the first destruction of the revered shrine took place exactly 1,000 years ago in 1026 AD, underscoring how, despite repeated attacks over the centuries, the temple stands in unparalleled glory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a blog post, highlighted the enduring spirit of India's civilisation while reflecting on the legacy of the Somnath temple, saying, "The story of Somnath, a thousand years after the first attack, is not defined by destruction. It is defined by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata."
Emphasising the resilience and continuity of India's cultural heritage, the Prime Minister added, "There can be no better example of our civilisation's indomitable spirit than Somnath, which stands gloriously, overcoming odds and struggles."
According to the blog, PM Modi mentioned the book Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal, where K. M. Munshi records that Mahmud of Ghazni began his march towards Somnath on 18 October 1025 and, approximately 80 days later, on 6 January 1026, attacked the fortified temple town.
He also mentioned that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a decisive and historic role in re-constructing the temple on November 13, 1947, and K. M. Munshi stood firmly with Patel.
The Prime Minister said that in 1951, the Somnath temple was ready for inauguration; however, PM Nehru opposed the participation of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the temple's inauguration.