Samrat Samprati Museum's message important for world facing instability & unrest: PM Modi
Gandhinagar (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the newly built Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat sends a strong message of peace and non-violence at a time when the world is "engulfed in the flames of instability and unrest".
Referring to the current global situation, Modi said the legacy and message of the museum are significant not just for India but for humanity.
"We are correcting the mistakes of previous governments, which failed to preserve valuable manuscripts," he said after inaugurating the museum located on Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus at Koba village near Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
"Given the current global scenario - the way the world is being scorched in the fires of instability and unrest - the legacy and message of this museum hold immense significance," he said.
The museum reflects India's core strength of diversity and unity, bringing together traditions such as the Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Yoga and other philosophical streams, he noted.
"This is something that could happen only in India," he added.
The museum is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaj (224-215 BC), the grandson of Samrat Ashoka and a Mauryan ruler known for propagating Jainism and the principle of non-violence.
Highlighting the concept behind the museum, the prime minister said Samrat Samprati represents the link between philosophy and governance.
"Samrat Samprati is not merely the name of a historical king. He serves as a bridge that connects India's philosophy with its practice," he said.
The museum preserves this legacy and has been designed to showcase India's identity at every step, Modi noted. He pointed to its seven galleries, saying they "proclaim India's diversity and cultural richness".
Referring to preservation of heritage, Modi said India had lost a vast treasure of knowledge in the past when ancient centres of learning like Takshashila and Nalanda were destroyed by foreign invaders.
Valuable manuscripts were burnt by invaders, leading to an immense heritage of humanity being lost, he pointed out.
In later years, people protected whatever remained by passing manuscripts from one generation to another, the PM said.
However, after Independence, the responsibility of preserving such knowledge was not taken up seriously by earlier governments, he said.
"After Independence, this should have been a national priority. Regrettably, due to a colonial mindset, no attention was paid to this vital cause," he said, in an apparent reference to Congress-led governments before 2014.
Modi credited saints and scholars for preserving India's heritage, mentioning the efforts of Jain seers who travelled across the country to collect manuscripts over decades. He said lakhs of manuscripts written on palm leaves and bark have now been preserved.
"We are today rectifying the mistakes committed by previous governments, which had neglected these manuscripts," he said.
The PM also said his government has launched the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' to preserve and digitise ancient manuscripts using modern technology.
"Under this mission, manuscripts are being digitised, scientifically preserved and archived. People are also uploading manuscripts kept in their personal custody," he informed.
The initiative would help collect scattered manuscripts from across the country and make them accessible for future generations, he said.
Modi said the government is making large-scale efforts to promote India's cultural heritage globally, including restoration of temples, development of pilgrimage sites and promotion of traditional knowledge systems like Ayurveda and Yoga.
He also cited projects such as the upcoming maritime museum at Lothal and plans for a national museum in Delhi to present India's history comprehensively.
Taking a swipe at previous regimes, Modi said earlier efforts to present history were influenced by political considerations.
"You may recall that in the past, such endeavours were often viewed through a political lens. Everything revolved around setting a specific narrative for a particular political family," he said, in an apparent reference to the Gandhi-Nehru family.
"We have put an end to this mindset," the PM said, adding the government is working with the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.
Modi also called for encouraging students and researchers from across the world to visit the museum and carry India's message of non-violence and knowledge globally.
"When we rise above personal aspirations and work for the nation, the pace of progress increases," he stressed.
The museum houses rare artefacts, ancient manuscripts and sculptures spread across seven galleries, offering a glimpse into India's spiritual and cultural legacy, a release by the Jain Aradhana Kendra said.
It showcases centuries-old Jain art, including stone and metal idols, illustrated manuscripts, coins and traditional artefacts, while also using modern audio-visual technology to create an immersive experience for visitors.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
