In an obvious reference to the growing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda called upon the younger generation to have a patriotic approach and fight against divisive forces that tried to destabilise the country.
Talking to reporters after paying homage to freedom fighters Maruthu brothers at Tirupattur and Velu Nachiyar, the first Indian queen who fought against the British, and her lieutenant Kuyili here on Thursday, Mr. Gowda stressed the need for inculcating the fervour of patriotism in the minds of the youth when there was growing unrest all over the world.
“We are seeing so many things happening across the world and our own country. We need this patriotic approach in the minds of the youth and you (parents) should educate the children and make them realise the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters,” he said.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had a vision to bring back the patriotic approach in the minds of every citizen of the country, deputed his ministerial colleagues to tour across the country, educate and motivate the people to develop patriotism and his visit to the district was part of the mission. “Development is one part and patriotism is another,” the Minister said.
Expressing concern that patriots and those who loved the country faced resistance in taking out processions, carrying national flags in various parts of the country, Mr. Gowda said “this is not in good taste in the larger interest of the country.”
“It is high time that all of us grew more and more patriotic and served our country with dedication,” he said.
Paying glowing tributes to the Maruthu Brothers and Velu Nachiyar, he said the queen of Sivaganga was the first revolutionary Indian queen who fought against the British. Even before Jansi Rani and the Sepoy mutiny, she waged a war against the foreign rulers and ruled this part of the land for 10 years after defeating the British, he said.
