PM visits Sabarmati Ashram, says it enlightened human race

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed the Sabarmati Ashram here as Mahatma Gandhi's "tapobhoomi", or the land where he did spiritual practice, and said the place has enlightened the entire humanity.

Modi was here to take part in the centenary celebrations of the Sabarmati Ashram, which was home to Gandhiji from 1917 to 1930.

After a short visit to the Ashram, Modi left a message in the visitors' diary at 'Hriday Kunj', a place inside the premises where the Father of the Nation used to live.

In his message in Gujarati, the PM said the Ashram is not just a building or an institution, but a place which has witnessed the building of a nation.

Modi wrote in the diary that "100 years of Sabarmati Ashram is not a centenary of a building, institution or an activity only. To bring the nation out of hundreds of years of slavery, Bapu made this place his 'tapobhoomi' and gave us 'swaraj' (independence)".

"This Ashram is a live witness to the process of nation-building. This place enlightened the consciousness of entire world's humanity, not just of India. I bow down to this 'tapobhoomi'. I bow down to respected Bapu," he further wrote.

During his visit, Modi interacted with Ashram trustees about ongoing activities, planted a tree, offered flowers at Gandhiji's statue and also tried his hands on a 'charkha' (spinning wheel).