India is more than just a political or territorial entity, says PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said on Sunday India as a country is more than just a political or territorial entity. "Those who understand Bharat are aware that it is beyond just political or territorial entity," PM Modi said.

"Swami Vivekananda saw India as a cultural consciousness that has been living and breathing for centuries, an India that only emerges stronger after every challenge despite contrary predictions," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi was addressing an event on the 125th-anniversary celebrations of the 'Prabuddha Bharata' journal. The event was being organised by the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati in Uttarakhand, the PMO said.

PM Modi said Swami Vivekananda named the journal as Prabuddha Bharata to manifest spirit of India as "he wanted to create awakened India".

"Swami Ji had big dreams for India, because he had immense faith in India's youth. He saw them as a powerhouse of skill and self-confidence," PM Modi said.

"He had said - Give me 100 energetic youngsters and I shall transform India," PM Modi said in his address.

Highlighting one of Vivekananda's lecture, PM Modi said, "In his lecture at practical Vedanta, he brings out some deep insight. He talks about overcoming setbacks and to see them as a part of the learning curve. In whatever he did, he went ahead with self-belief."

"'Prabuddha Bharata' is a special journal, closely associated with Swami Vivekananda himself. At around 3 PM tomorrow, 31st January, will address the 125th anniversary celebrations of this iconic journal," PM Modi had said on Twitter on Saturday.

'Prabuddha Bharata' is a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, which was started by Swami Vivekananda. It has been in publication since 1896 and carries articles on social sciences and humanities comprising historical, psychological, cultural and social sciences themes. Swami Vireshananda has been the editor of the journal since August last year.