NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India is indeed a mother of democracy where the guiding philosophy is that of “sabka sath, sabha vikas”.
He was virtually addressing the leader-level plenary session on the Summit of Democracy hosted by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said the idea of elected leaders was a common feature in ancient India long before the rest of world.
PM Modi cited the ancient epic Mahabharata, saying that during that time, the first duty of citizens was to choose their own leaders.
He said that there are many historical references to republic states in ancient India, where the rulers were not hereditary, adding that the country is indeed the “mother of democracy”.
“Democracy is not just a structure. It is also a spirit based on the belief that the needs and aspirations of every human being are equally important,” he said.
PM Modi said that in India, the guiding philosophy is “sabka sath, sabha vikas”.
He said that during Covid-19 pandemic, India’s response was people-driven. “It is the people who made it possible to adminsiter over 2 billion doses of made-in-India vaccines,” he said.
He added that India shared millions of vaccines with the world under its “vaccine-maitri” initiative with the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
“India, despite the many global challenges, is the fastest growing major economy today. This is the best advertisement for democracy in the world. This shows that democracy can deliver,” he said.
He was virtually addressing the leader-level plenary session on the Summit of Democracy hosted by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said the idea of elected leaders was a common feature in ancient India long before the rest of world.
PM Modi cited the ancient epic Mahabharata, saying that during that time, the first duty of citizens was to choose their own leaders.
He said that there are many historical references to republic states in ancient India, where the rulers were not hereditary, adding that the country is indeed the “mother of democracy”.
“Democracy is not just a structure. It is also a spirit based on the belief that the needs and aspirations of every human being are equally important,” he said.
PM Modi said that in India, the guiding philosophy is “sabka sath, sabha vikas”.
He said that during Covid-19 pandemic, India’s response was people-driven. “It is the people who made it possible to adminsiter over 2 billion doses of made-in-India vaccines,” he said.
He added that India shared millions of vaccines with the world under its “vaccine-maitri” initiative with the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
“India, despite the many global challenges, is the fastest growing major economy today. This is the best advertisement for democracy in the world. This shows that democracy can deliver,” he said.