Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that Indian need to break free from the colonial mindset imprinted by British rulers to pave the way for the countrys development into a developed nation.Accompanied by fellow Union cabinet member Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, Sitharaman participated in a plantation drive and took the Panch Pran Pledge as part of the Meri Maati, Mera Desh (My Land, My Country) initiative at the Central Sanskrit University in Odishas Puri on Thursday.Addressing the gathering, the Finance Minister said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the need to eliminate any trace of colonial mindset. We need to free ourselves from the mindset of slavery instilled in us by the British rulers. Only then will India become a developed country by 2047.”#WATCH | At Panch Pran Pledge under the Meri Maati, Mera Desh programme in Odishas Puri, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, We need to free ourselves from the slavery mindset instilled in us by the British. Only then, India will become a developed country by… pic.twitter.com/j8E04O7KzW— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2023The University gathering, as well as the guests, read out the Panch Pran Pledge, saying, “We pledge to make India developed and self-reliant by 2047, we pledge to remove any trace of colonial mindset, we pledge to celebrate our heritage, we pledge to strengthen unity and respect those who protect the country and we pledge to perform the duties of a citizen.”Union Minister Pradhan said, “Modi has launched the Meri Maati, Mera Desh campaign to honour our martyred bravehearts. I thank all of you for taking the pledge for a better India.”#WATCH | Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP leader Sambit Patra attended a plantation drive and Panch Pran Pledge under Meri Maati, Mera Desh programme in Puri, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/WztG1PEWLZ— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2023Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP cabinent member engage in spiritual duties in PuriMeanwhile, the renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik created a stunning sand art exhibit portraying the theme Meri Maati Mera Desh on the Blue Flag Beach, Mayfair, Puri. Sitharaman, along with Pradhan, Patra as well as local BJP MLAs, visited the intricate sand sculpture by Patnaik.The Union Ministers also offered prayers at the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. The visit to the sacred shrine was accompanied by the presence of BJPs national spokesperson Sambit Patra.VIDEO | Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan and party leader Sambit Patra attended plantation drive and Panch Pran Pledge under Meri Maati, Mera Desh programme at the Central Sanskrit Universitys Residential Complex in Puri, Odisha earlier today. pic.twitter.com/TxtPKcfGow— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2023A comprehensive schedule of significant events was planned for the Union Ministers during their visit to Puri. They embarked on a spiritual journey to Shree Mandira, an homage to timeless traditions.The ministers also honored the legacy of freedom fighters by visiting the birthplace of Saheed Jayee Rajguru and participated in the symbolic Amrit Kalash Yatra at Puris Biraharekrushnapur. Sitharaman collected maati (soil) in an amrit kalash (sacred pot) at Rajgurus birthplace to honour the freedom fighter.
