"If every community becomes self-reliant, whole country will become self-reliant": Amit Shah hails large-scale community gathering structure in India

Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], January 10 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that large-scale community gatherings strengthen the nation rather than divide it, asserting that a self-reliant society leads to a self-reliant India.
Shah was addressing the Maheshwari Global Convention & Expo in Jodhpur, where he emphasised that India's social fabric and strong community structures play a vital role in national unity. He noted that if every community takes responsibility for the welfare and safety of its most vulnerable members, the country as a whole would be better served.
"Whenever social gatherings or community events are organised, some so-called progressive people criticise those who attend them. I have personally faced many such criticisms. I believe that the structure of our communities and such large community congregations actually strengthen India; they never divide the country. If every community takes responsibility for the safety and welfare of its poorest members, the entire nation will automatically be taken care of and if every community becomes self-reliant, then the whole of India will become self-reliant," Amit Shah said.
Praising the Maheshwari community, Shah said it has produced individuals who have contributed to the nation across diverse fields, making India shine like a person who is adorned with jewels. He noted that, despite its prominence across sectors, the community remains deeply connected to its roots.
"The gems that emerged from the Maheshwari community have adorned this country in every field, making it shine like a person adorned with jewels. Even after reaching the highest positions in the country, if any community has remained connected to its roots, it is the Maheshwari community," Amit Shah said.
The Home Minister further said that after Independence, when India began its journey toward industrial growth and self-reliance, the Maheshwari community played a key role. From manufacturing and production to wealth creation and technology, he said, the community has consistently demonstrated its progressive outlook.
"When the country attained independence and it was time to move forward after freedom, to become self-reliant, to advance by surpassing the horizons of the entire world in the field of industries, even then the Maheshwari community never looked back. Be it the field of production, manufacturing hubs, wealth generation or technology, the Maheshwari community has always demonstrated its identity as a progressive society in all these areas," Shah said.
Referring to the celebrations marking 75 years of Independence, Shah said the initiative had four main objectives. The first was to familiarise the younger generation with India's freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947. The second was to highlight the country's achievements over the past 75 years, while the third aimed to strengthen the sense of national identity among India's 140 crore citizens.
"A few years ago, we celebrated 75 years of our country's independence... Those who sacrificed their lives for the country were remembered. There were four objectives behind this. The first objective was to familiarise our young generation with the great struggle for independence from 1857 to 1947," he said.
He added that the fourth objective was particularly significant, noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge that by the time India marks 100 years of Independence on August 15, 2047, the country would be at the forefront globally in every field.
"The second objective was to inform our young generation about the achievements we have made over the past 75 years. And the third was to instil the idea of India in the minds of 140 crore Indians. The fourth task was very important. PM Modi took a pledge. He has resolved that when the centenary of independence is celebrated on August 15, 2047, when the country completes 100 years of independence, India will be at the forefront in every field in the entire world," Shah said. (ANI)