Udupi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed Udupi as the “karmabhoomi” (work-birthplace) of the BJP and the Jana Sangh, saying the coastal town laid the foundation for a governance model rooted in transparency and public service. His remarks were made at the massive Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana gathering at the Sri Krishna Matha, where over one lakh devotees recited verses from the Bhagavad Gita.
Modi recalled that in 1968, a landmark victory by the Jana Sangh’s V. S. Acharya in the Udupi Municipal Corporation marked a shift in local politics and civic governance. That, he claimed, set the tone for the leadership and development model now associated with the BJP.
According to the Prime Minister, Udupi’s pioneering efforts — from early water-supply systems and drainage to sanitation campaigns — prefigured broader national initiatives. He noted that Udupi adopted cleanliness drives decades ago, long before they became part of national policy.
The spiritual gathering of more than one lakh devotees reciting the Gita simultaneously, Modi said, was powerful evidence of India’s civilisational heritage and unity. He described the collective recitation as a source of spiritual energy and social solidarity, tying it to the nation’s broader value system.
Beyond spirituality and cultural legacy, the Prime Minister used the occasion to outline a renewed security doctrine for the country. He referenced the newly announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra — a multi-layered defence shield combining physical security, surveillance, and modern technologies — as the backbone of India’s security architecture.
Modi declared that if any adversary threatens the nation, India’s Sudarshan Chakra will act as a protective “wall of security” — and if forced, retaliate decisively. “If the enemy dared to attack, our Sudarshan Chakra would destroy them,” he said.
He also linked the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to the country’s national policy, suggesting that spiritual principles guide India’s stance on both welfare and defence. According to him, the Gita’s message of duty and righteousness underpins both social and security policies.
During his visit, Modi remarked on the historical and cultural connection between Udupi and his home state of Gujarat. He invoked the belief that the Krishna idol worshipped in Udupi was once revered in Dwarka, suggesting a spiritual bond tying regions together.
Through his address, the Prime Minister sought to underscore three aspects: Udupi’s legacy as a cradle of good governance for the BJP; the fusion of cultural-spiritual heritage with national policies; and a commitment to securing the nation via indigenous defence capabilities under Mission Sudarshan Chakra.
