Arya Samaj Must Lead ‘Vocal For Local’ Movement, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the Arya Samaj to take the lead in reviving Swadeshi, making ‘Vocal for Local’ a mass movement inspired by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati’s teachings.

Addressing the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in Rohini, New Delhi, the Prime Minister said the Arya Samaj’s 150th foundation anniversary symbolises the enduring strength of India’s Vedic identity.

PM Modi paid heartfelt tributes to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, describing the Mahasammelan as a ‘divine experience’ filled with the energy of Vedic mantras.

He recalled how the sage, born in an era clouded by superstition under British rule, challenged false beliefs, fought caste bias, advocated girls’ education, and revived faith in the Vedas through open debate.

The Prime Minister said Maharshi Dayanand’s call to ‘Go back to the Vedas’ awakened national consciousness and laid the moral foundation for India’s freedom movement.

Women Empowerment and Viksit Bharat

Celebrating women’s progress, PM Modi lauded India’s daughters who now serve as Rafale pilots, lead Chandrayaan missions, and top global STEM ranks.

“Swami Dayanand’s vision of educated, liberated women has become a living reality,” he said, adding that their achievements embody the spirit of Viksit Bharat.

Highlighting Arya Samaj’s historical role in the Swadeshi movement, PM Modi said its participation in the present ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign is vital to realising Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

He urged the organisation to promote natural farming, describing it as the backbone of rural India, and to help spread awareness about sustainable, chemical-free agriculture.

He also encouraged Arya Samaj members to join the Jal Jeevan Mission, water conservation initiatives, and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam afforestation campaign.

Linking Ancient Wisdom with Modern Goals

Quoting Maharshi Dayanand’s maxim that true maturity lies in ‘consuming least and contributing most’, the Prime Minister appealed to the Arya Samaj to participate in initiatives such as the Gyan Bharatam Mission for digitising ancient manuscripts and the Amrit Sarovar programme for water rejuvenation.

Invoking the Vedic call ‘Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam’— ‘Let us ennoble the world’—PM Modi aligned Arya Samaj’s values with India’s global missions like Mission LiFE and International Yoga Day, which advocate sustainable living and spiritual harmony.

PM Modi further described the Arya Samaj’s 150th anniversary as a national celebration that transcends community lines.

He linked the occasion to India’s tradition of self-purification, comparing it to the sacred flow of the Ganga, and recalled how Arya Samaj inspired freedom fighters such as Lala Lajpat Rai and Ram Prasad Bismil.

The Prime Minister also released a commemorative coin and postal stamp honouring Swami Dayanand’s reformist legacy.

Concluding his address, PM Modi expressed confidence that Arya Samaj’s light would continue to guide humanity, promoting truth, equality, and spiritual growth.

He commended its contribution to education, especially through schools and colleges that have empowered countless daughters across India.

Gujarat and Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, along with other dignitaries, attended the summit held as part of the Jyana Jyoti Festival, celebrating Arya Samaj’s global outreach and its continuing role in shaping a progressive, self-reliant India.

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