JOIN USPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon people to unite against casteism, terrorism, black money, corruption, communalism and other social ailments.
"It is a strange environment We must hold each other's hand and move ahead I am confident that if 125 crore Indians join in and take the pledge to free society of all these ailments, no one can stop India from moving ahead," Modi said. "After having borne the responsibility for the last three and a half years, I can say that the country has great potential."
The prime minister said this while speaking to the followers of Rang Avadhoot Maharaj, a saint poet from Gujarat, via video conferencing. Modi addressed the followers on the 50th nirvan anniversary of Rang Avdhoot Maharaj, credited with the expansion of Datta-panth in Gujarat.
This is the second religious function being addressed by the prime minister in November in his poll-bound home state. Earlier this month, Modi had attended the silver jubilee celebrations of Akshardham temple of the Swaminarayan sect in Gandhinagar.
During his one-hour speech, Modi, in his inimitable style, avoided speaking anything overtly political. He narrated his personal experiences of visiting areas of central Gujarat where the sect has influence, and went on to name a few people in the audience who would take him along on their two-wheelers much before he entered politics.