Some politicians dividing society with support from foreign forces: Modi

Laying the foundation stone for Bageshwar Dham Medical Science and Research Institute in the village of Garha in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, Modi said, “Nowadays, it is seen that a section of political leaders is making fun of our religion, traditions and culture. They are attempting to divide the people and weaken the country and foreign forces hostile to India are supporting them.”

Modi said people who abhorred the Hindu faith have always existed in society for centuries. People with a "slave mentality" keep attacking our faiths, beliefs, religion, culture, traditions and temples. They target our festivals, customs and rituals and even dare to defame the inherently progressive nature of our religion and culture.

“Their agenda is to divide our society and break its unity. Some foreign forces inimical to India support them to weaken our country and our religion,” he said.

Modi praised Bageshwar Dham seer Dhirendra Shastri for making efforts to spread awareness about the mantra of unity in the country for a long time. He said the seer has taken another pledge for the welfare of the society and humanity by initiating the move to establish a cancer research institute.

“The spiritual centre of Bageshwar Dham will soon be a health centre as well,” he said, adding, “Serving the people to alleviate their sufferings is the true religion.”

The Prime Minister further said: “Our temples, monasteries and holy sites have always played the dual role as both centre of worship and hub for scientific and social thought. Our sages have provided us with the science of ayurveda and yoga, which is now globally recognised.”

Referring to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Modi said crores of people have taken holy dip at Triveni Sangam and received blessings of saints and hermits.

Calling the ongoing religious congregation “Maha Kumbh of unity”, Modi said the gathering at Prayagraj will "continue to strengthen India’s unity".

The Prime Minister also referred to the eye camp opened at Prayagraj on the sidelines of Maha Kumbh and said the "Netra Maha Kumbh" has facilitated eye treatment for over 2-lakh people, although it has not garnered much attention.

The Prime Minister also lauded the religious institutions and trusts that are running large hospitals across India and many science and research institutes, providing healthcare to crores of people.

Modi said when the country gave him the opportunity to serve, he made the mantra of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" his government’s resolution. “A key foundation of sabka saath, sabka vikas is ‘sabka ilaaj, sabko arogya’, which means healthcare for all," he said.

In his address, referring to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Modi said the provision of toilets in houses has improved hygiene in the families, saving them thousands of rupees in medical expenses.

Modi said before he came to power at the Centre in 2014, the poor feared the cost of treatment more than the illness, as any ailment in the family meant severe financial stress. "The Ayushman scheme introduced by the Centre has ensured treatment for the poor up to Rs 5 lakhs, thus reducing the burden of medical treatment on them. The scheme is now available to elderly people above 70 years of age, irrespective of whether the family is poor, middle class, or wealthy," he said.

The Prime Minister also underlined the measures undertaken by the Centre to empower women by launching initiatives like "Lakhpati Didi" and "Drone Didi".

The Prime Minister visited Bundelkhand for the second time since December last to lay the foundation for developmental projects. During his last visit, he laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa river linking project.