Of the three great exponents of Vedanta philosophy,
Bhagwad Ramanuja with his aesthetic beautiful interpretations occupies the
central place. Sri Ramanujar hailed as Udayavar, Emperumanar,
Bashyakarar, Ilayazhwaar amongst other names was born in the year 1017 at Sri
Perumpudur on ‘Thiruvathirai’ thirunakshathiram in the month of
Chithirai.
Today is a great day for the Nation ~ the Independence
Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
speech on 70th Independence Day of Maha Bharat made it clear that he has completely rerouted
his policy on Pakistan with aggressive comments referring to Pakistan's human
rights abuses in its large province of Balochistan as well as Pakistan-Occupied
Kashmir.
Shri Narendra Modiji said the people of those areas have thanked
him for drawing attention to their troubles, a reference to his warning last
week that if Pakistan continues instigating the violence that has seared the
Kashmir Valley for over a month, India will be compelled to expose Islamabad's
many wrongdoings in regions fighting terror and atrocities by its security
forces.
The PM's comments about Pakistan were placed at the end
of a lengthy speech he delivered in the traditional address on August 15 from
the ramparts of the Red Fort. "They glorify terrorists who attack
us," he said, recalling that India "cried with sorrow" when
nearly 130 children were killed in a ruthless massacre by the Taliban in
Peshawar two years ago.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today (15th
August 2016) addressed the nation from
the ramparts of the Red Fort on 70th Independence Day. Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma
Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and countless people, who
sacrificed their lives so that Swarajya could be attained. He said that 125 crore Indians have now
resolved to complete the journey from Swarajya to “Suraj.” He said the
achievement of Suraj will require sacrifice, hard work, discipline, dedication
and courage, and added that every institution from Panchayat to Parliament must
work unitedly towards this goal.
The Prime Minister said that there was a time when
allegations engulfed the Government. He said that this Government, instead, is
surrounded by expectations. He said that when hope gives rise to expectations,
it gives us energy to move faster towards Suraj. The Prime Minister said that
he wishes to focus not on the work done by the Government, but on its
work-culture.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort
in New Delhi, it was a great speech by the Nation’s most regarded Prime Minister. He said, today on this special day, I convey
my greetings to 125 crore Indians & the Indian community living overseas.
May this energy guide the nation to scale newer heights of progress in the
years to come. We remember Mahatma
Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru, countless people who sacrificed their lives
so that we attained Swarajya. It is true
that India faces a lot of problems, but we have the capacity to find solutions.
Today, more than Karya, I want to talk
about Karya Sanskriti of the Government
Ramanujacharya used to say that we must look at
everyone with the same gaze, never humiliate anyone. This was said by Ambedkar,
Gandhi too. If society practices this discrimination it will break society. If
discrimination is entrenched, our determination to fight it and our sensitivity
to fighting it should be that much higher. Just economic progress is not
enough, social equity is more important. We have to fight social evils
together.
The Prime Minister announced some new initiatives. He
said the pension for freedom fighters would be enhanced from Rs. 25,000 to Rs.
30,000 per month. He said the Government would work towards creation of museums
and memorials dedicated to the Adivasi freedom fighters across the country.
Government would bear expenses upto one lakh rupees for the poor, towards
meeting the cost of hospitalization.
Sri Ramanujar at Melukote, Thirunarayanapuram
We feel more happy in the reference to our darsana
Sthapakar, Sri Ramanujar, rightly reverred as ‘Yathi Rajar’ ~ the king among
yathis [hermits and sages], it is our Acharyan who showed us the right
direction to follow. The greatest reformer he was, Ramanuja gave us many
vedantic treatises. Sri Udayavar, toured the entire Country, making the Srivaishnavatie
tradition flourish in all his path. He was a great administrator
too. He created flawless systems, corrected the administration of Sri
Rangam ensuring the proper maintenance of the wealth of Lord Ranganatha and
creating teams to properly continue all kainkaryams to the Lord.
A happy Indian
S. Sampathkumar
15th Aug 2016.