Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 18: Delivering the Sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the enduring legacy of Express Group founder Ramnath Goenka, saying his life embodied resistance to attempts at “enslavement” and affirmed the power of dissent. Modi urged a national commitment to “put the locks on” the Western mindset ingrained in India since 1835 by Thomas Macaulay’s colonial education project.

The Prime Minister set a 10-year timeframe, leading up to the 200th anniversary of Macaulay’s campaign, to reverse this legacy. He said Macaulay aimed to create Indians “by appearance but British at heart,” which shattered India’s self-confidence and devalued indigenous knowledge, science, art, culture, and ways of life.

“This imprint persisted after Independence,” Modi said, noting that India’s education, economy, and societal aspirations remained aligned with foreign models. He stressed the importance of pride in heritage, citing tourism as an example where nations thrive by valuing their cultural legacy. Modi pointed to Japan and South Korea as examples of adopting Western ideas while staying rooted in their own languages, a balance India’s new education policy also seeks to promote.

Turning to politics, Modi reflected on the NDA’s Bihar victory, cautioning state governments that current governance shapes a party’s future. He criticised leaders like Lalu Prasad for misgovernance and rejected claims that the BJP is always in election mode, insisting that public service requires constant commitment to the people.

Highlighting social welfare, he said coverage has expanded from 25 crore to 94 crore people in India over the past decade. Modi also claimed the footprint of Maoism is shrinking and accused the Congress of previously promoting Naxalism, terming it now the “Muslim League-y Maoist Congress.”

Recalling Ramnath Goenka’s contributions, Modi praised his courage during the Quit India movement and the Emergency, noting his principled journalism and support for leaders like Sardar Patel, Nanaji Deshmukh, and Jayaprakash Narayan. He called Goenka’s impatience a virtue that “stirs still waters into motion” and likened it to India’s drive toward development and self-reliance.

Viveck Goenka, Chairman of the Express Group, lauded Modi for championing Atmanirbhar Bharat, calling it aligned with Ramnath Goenka’s vision of an independent Indian mind. Executive Director Anant Goenka noted that the Express Group’s commitment to balanced and patriotic journalism remains crucial in preventing polarisation.

The event saw participation from dignitaries including Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, BJP and Congress leaders, Supreme Court Justice Manmohan, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, diplomats, academics, and journalists.

The Ramnath Goenka Lecture series, inaugurated by Marianne Pearl, has previously featured RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and philanthropist Bill Gates.