Addressing a gathering at the DDA Utsav Ground in IP Extension, the Prime Minister said the country must identify and defeat those seeking to divide society and damage its cultural identity.

“The forces that harm the honour of the country, the people who divide society, the mentality of those who hate our culture, these are the enemies of the country,” Modi said.

He added that the nation must renew its resolve to recognise and defeat such forces.

Clad in a yellow kurta and a traditional handloom stole, Modi participated in the customary burning of Ravana's effigy, a central ritual of Vijayadashami that symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

 

PM invokes ancient teachings, calls for collective resolve

Emphasising the importance of standing together, Modi invoked the teachings of India's ancient sages and called on political parties and institutions to unite against what he described as threats to the nation.

“Our ancient seers taught us, all political parties, all institutions, to be united against enemies,” he said.

The Prime Minister's remarks came as he urged the country to draw strength from its shared cultural traditions and reaffirm its commitment to national unity.

'Ram Rajya' remains an ideal of good governance

Modi began his address by paying tribute to Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman, and extended Vijayadashami greetings to citizens across the country.

He described the festival as a reminder of the enduring victory of truth over falsehood and the defeat of tyranny and terror.

“For us, these are not merely festivals; they are the life force of India,” he said, referring to the country's Ramleela traditions and the continued relevance of Lord Ram's ideals.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the concept of Ram Rajya as a benchmark for good governance, characterised by justice, equal opportunity and the absence of discrimination.

He said the purpose of governance should be public welfare rather than the exercise of power, stressing the need to prioritise the service of the poor and disadvantaged.

Lord Ram's journey to Lanka offers lessons in self-reliance

Drawing parallels between Lord Ram's journey to Lanka and India's own challenges, Modi said determination, self-reliance and collective participation were essential to achieving seemingly impossible goals.

He urged citizens not to depend on others when confronted with difficulties, but to trust the country's resources and capabilities.

“No matter how big the crisis may be, no matter how tough the challenge may be, we must not sit back relying on others. We must recognise our own strength,” he said.

Referring to how Lord Ram mobilised collective effort to overcome the obstacles before reaching Lanka, Modi said public participation and unwavering resolve were key to success.

He added that challenges should not derail the country's progress and that solutions must emerge through hard work and confidence in India's strengths.

'Victory will ultimately be ours': PM on Vijayadashami

Concluding his message, Modi said Vijayadashami instils the confidence that truth and humanity will ultimately prevail, regardless of the strength of the opposition.

“Vijayadashami is the festival of victory. This festival gives us the courage to believe that no matter how powerful the enemy, when we stand with truth and humanity, victory will ultimately be ours,” he said.