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This story is from February 26, 2023

Karnataka soul of India, state’s development BJP’s top priority: PM Modi

The prime minister was speaking after inaugurating ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital in presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other leaders including union minister Pralhad Joshi.
Karnataka soul of India, state’s development BJP’s top priority: PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Ahead of his forthcoming visit to poll-bound Karnataka, prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Karnataka is the soul of India and the country can’t be defined without the state.
The prime minister was speaking after inaugurating ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital in presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other leaders including union minister Pralhad Joshi.
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“The identity, traditions and inspirations of India cannot be defined without the contributions of Karnataka”, the Prime Minister said.
Drawing the analogy to the role of Hanuman in the ‘Pauranik Kaal’, the Prime Minister underlined that Karnataka has played a similar role for India and said that even though the epoch-changing mission started in Ayodhya and ended in Rameshwarm, it got its strength from Karnataka.
Asserting that India is guided by the ideals of the “Mother of Democracy” when it is presiding over a global organisation like G-20, the prime minister said that the vows and democratic sermons of Lord Basveshwara through ‘Anubhava Mantapa’ are like a ray of light for India.
The Prime Minister expressed delight at getting the opportunity to inaugurate the idol of Lord Basveshwara along with a compilation of his vows in several languages in London.

“I'm privileged to have unveiled Lord Basaveshwara's statue in London. His teachings were also made available in different languages. This all signifies that not only the Tradition and Values of Karnataka but also their Impact, are immortal,” added Modi.
Basava, also called Basaveshwara and Basavanna, was a 12th-century Lingayat social reformer and is considered as the most revered icon in the state.
The Prime Minister also referred to the medieval period when invaders were ravaging the country and destroying Shivalingas like Somnath, it was saints like Devara Dasimayya, Madara Chennaiah, Dohara Kakkaiah, and Bhagwan Basaveshwara who associated people with their faith. Similarly, warriors like Rani Abbakka, Onake Obavva, Rani Chennamma, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna faced foreign powers. Post Independence, the Prime Minister said, dignitaries from Karnataka continued to inspire India.
The Prime Minister lauded the people of Karnataka for living the mantra of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He talked about ‘Naada Geethe’ by the Poet Kuvempu and praised the national feelings beautifully expressed in the revered song.
“In this song, the civilization of India is depicted and the roles and importance of Karnataka are described. When we understand the spirit of this song, we also get the crux of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, he said.
The Prime Minister recalled meeting the German Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz earlier in the day and expressed delight that his next programme is taking place in Bengaluru on Sunday.
The Prime Minister further said that the development of Karnataka is a top priority for the country, and for the government of Karnataka.” He informed that between 2009-2014, Rs 11 thousand crores were given by the Center to Karnataka, whereas, from 2019-2023 till now Rs 30 thousand crore have been sent.
The Prime Minister said that the current government is fulfilling the long pending demand for the Bhadra Project and all this development is fast changing the face of Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will visit Karnataka on Monday during which he will undertake a walk through and inspect Shivamogga Airport, after which, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects at Shivamogga. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate multiple development initiatives at Belagavi and also release the 13th instalment of PM-KISAN.
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