Sanatan Prabhat > Location > Asia > India > Maharashtra > Lokmanya Tilak had changed the direction of the freedom struggle : PM Modi

Lokmanya Tilak had changed the direction of the freedom struggle : PM Modi

PM Modi honoured with 41st ‘Lokmanya Tilak National Award’

Pune, 1st August – Lokmanya Tilak changed the direction of the freedom struggle. His influence was evident on everyone during his period and the revolutionary leaders after him; therefore, Tilak was called ‘the Father of Indian Unrest’ by the British. The British looked down upon India’s faith, culture, and traditions as symbols of regression, but Tilak proved it wrong. The people of India accepted Tilak as their leader and gave him the title of ‘Lokmanya’, stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi addressed the function held on the 1st of August 2023, to honour him with the 41st Lokmanya Tilak National Award. The award was presented by Lokmanya Tilak’s great-grandson Deepak Tilak. The award is constituted of the special ‘Uparan’ and ‘Pugree (a kind of turban)’ as Lokmanya Tilak used to wear, a memento, and a cash prize of Rs One lakh.  PM Modi started his speech in Marathi and offered homage to Lokmanya Tilak. He also paid homage to ‘Lokshaheer’ Annabhau Sathe on his birth anniversary. The other dignitaries sharing the dais with the PM, were Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadanvis, and Ajit Pawar, NCP President Sharad Pawar, senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, Dr Rohit Tilak, etc.

Pune and Kashi known for eternal knowledge and scholars

PM Modi said, “Lokmanya Tilak Award is of great importance. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to come to this sacred land of Pune. Pune is the land of brave leaders like Tilak, Phule, and Chapekar. I feel charged and overwhelmed for getting this award. Kashi and Pune cities have special significance in our country. The knowledge of Pune and Kashi is eternal. Knowledge has attained immortality. Pune’s contribution in making Corona vaccination is very important”.

‘Karmayoga’ as explained in Bhagawadgeeta understood due to Lokmanya Tilak!

PM Narendra Modi said further, “By associating my name with the award given in the name of Tilak, my responsibilities have increased manifold. I dedicate the Lokmanya Tilak National Award to 140 crore people in this country. The ‘Karmayoga’ as explained in Bhagawadgeeta was understood because of Lokmanya Tilak. M Gandhi called Lokmanya Tilak, the Creator of Modern India. The British said that Indians were not capable of managing a country, but Lokmanya Tilak said that ‘Swarajyan was our birthright’. Tilak could appreciate the capability of Swatantrayaveer Savarkar. Lokmanya Tilak helped Veer Savarkar to become a barrister. Lokmanya Tilak wanted Savarkar to go out to study and then join the freedom struggle.

(Credit : Marendra Modi YouTube Channel)

After Tilak’s appeal, Dagdusheth Halwai joined the public celebration of the Ganesh festival

PM Modi said, “The famous Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh Mandir in Pune is an important part of the history of the Pune District. Dagdusheth was the first person who joined the public celebration of the Ganesh festival on the appeal of Lokmanya Tilak and installed a Ganesh Idol for such celebration. I salute this sacred land and the great personalities born here”.

Selection of PM Modi for this award since he follows the policies advocated by Lokmanya Tilak – Deepak Tilak, Lokmanya Tilak’s great-grandson

Lokmanya Tilak’s great-grandson Deepak Tilak said, “Lokmanya Tilak dreamt of an independent, modern, and powerful India. Lokmanya advocated nationalism, ancient science, glorious history, patriotism, use of indigenous products, education, modern technology, national economy, etc. These policies are observed even in the powerful India as projected by PM Narendra Modi, giving importance to the welfare of the people of this country. The policies of new technology, new education policy for ‘Atmanirbhar (self-reliant)’ India, and ‘Make in India’ are observed in his schemes; therefore, we thought of only one person for conferring this award and that is Narendra Modi. I thank him for accepting this award”.

Views expressed by other speakers

CM Eknath Shinde said that people of the world view PM Narendra Modi as an important world leader, which is a matter of pride for us. He also spoke about the work in various fields done by PM Modi and showered him with praise.

NCP President Sharad Pawar said that Lokmanya Tilak started a newspaper called ‘Kesari’ in Marathi and thus, started a fight against the British. He used to say that we would have to fight with unity against the British for getting out of slavery. Lokmanya Tilak led the group of ‘Jahal (fierce)’ freedom fighters. The contributions of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Lokmanya Tilak are unforgettable.

Highlights

  • Narendra Modi started his speech in Marathi by saying that he, again and again, saluted the land of Maharashtra. The gathering raised slogans of ‘Jai Shriram’, acclaimed Modi, and clapped for him.
  • PM Modi declared that he was donating the amount of Rs One lakh received by him as an award, for the ‘Namami Gange’ project.
  • The locals had gathered on the road in large numbers to welcome PM Modi. They came to see the fleet of cars carrying PM Modi and were clicking photos on their cell phones. Some women greeted PM Modi with folded hands, from their homes, standing on their balconies.

Latest Articles