The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Christmas Celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) at the CBCI Centre premises, New Delhi, today.
This is the first time a Prime Minister has attended such a programme at the Headquarters of the Catholic Church in India. The Prime Minister also interacted with key leaders from the Christian community, including Cardinals, Bishops and prominent leaders of the Church.
Wishing the citizens of the country, and the Christian community worldwide a very Merry Christmas, the Prime Minister stated that a few days ago he had attended Christmas celebration at Union Minister George Kurian’s residence, and today, he is honored to join all for this event organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).
This occasion is particularly special as it marks the 80th anniversary of the CBCI. Shri Modi congratulated the CBCI and everyone associated with it on this remarkable milestone. The Prime Minister reminisced the last time he celebrated Christmas with CBCI was at the Prime Minister’s residence, and today all are gathered at the CBCI campus.
“I have also visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church during Easter, and I am grateful for the warmth I receive from all of you. I feel the same affection from His Holiness Pope Francis, whom I met earlier this year during the G7 summit in Italy our second meeting in three years.
I invited him to visit India”, Shri Modi added. The Prime Minister said that during his trip to New York in September, he had met Cardinal Pietro Parolin. These spiritual encounters inspire and strengthen the commitment to service.
The Prime Minister recalled his recent meeting with His Eminence Cardinal George Koovakad, who was recently conferred the title of Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis. The Prime Minister said that the Indian government, led by Union Minister George Kurian, sent a high-level delegation to this event.
“When an Indian achieves such success, the entire country takes pride. I once again congratulate Cardinal George Kwakad on this remarkable accomplishment”, Shri Modi added. The Prime Minister also recollected many memories, particularly the fulfilling moments when Father Alexis Prem Kumar was rescued from war-torn Afghanistan a decade ago.
Shri Modi highlighted that Father Alexis Prem Kumar had been held hostage for eight months, and despite the difficult situation, the government made every effort to bring him home safely. “I will never forget the joy in his family’s voices when we succeeded.
Similarly, when Father Tom was taken hostage in Yemen, we also worked tirelessly to bring him back, and I had the honor of inviting him to my home. Our efforts to rescue nurse sisters in crisis in the Gulf were equally relentless and successful”, the Prime Minister added.
Shri Modi reiterated that these efforts were not just diplomatic missions but emotional commitments to bring back family members. Today’s India, no matter where an Indian is, considers it its duty to rescue them in times of crisis.
The Prime Minister emphasised that India’s foreign policy prioritizes human interests alongside national ones, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many countries focused on their own interests, India selflessly helped over 150 countries, sending medicines and vaccines.
This had a positive global impact, with nations like Guyana expressing deep gratitude. Many island nations, Pacific nations, and Caribbean countries also praise India for its humanitarian efforts. India’s human-centric approach is set to elevate the world in the 21st century.
The Prime Minister underscored that the teachings of Lord Christ emphasize love, harmony, and brotherhood. And it saddens him when violence and disruption spreads in society, as seen recently at a Christmas market in Germany and during the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, where he paid tribute to the victims.
Shri Modi stated that this Christmas is more special as it marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year, focused on hope. “The Holy Bible sees hope as a source of strength and peace. We are also guided by hope and positivity.
Hope for humanity Hope for a better world and Hope for peace, progress and prosperity”, Shri Modi added. The Prime Minister highlighted that in the past 10 years, 250 million people in India have overcome poverty, fueled by the hope that victory over poverty is possible.
India has also risen from the 10th to the 5th largest economy, a testament to our self-belief and perseverance. This period of development has brought new hope for the future, with opportunities for youth in various fields such as start-ups, science, sports, and entrepreneurship.
“The self-confident youth of India are driving the country toward progress, giving us hope that the dream of a developed India will be realized”, the Prime Minister added. The Prime Minister emphasised that in the past 10 years, women in India have achieved remarkable empowerment, excelling in fields such as entrepreneurship, drones, aviation, and the Armed Forces.
Their progress highlights that no country can advance without empowering women. Shri Modi said as more women join the workforce and professional labor force, it brings new hope for India’s future.
The Prime Minister stressed that in the past 10 years, India has made significant progress in under-explored sectors like mobile and semiconductor manufacturing, positioning itself as a global tech hub.
He said the country is empowering the poor through technology and fintech while building infrastructure at an unprecedented pace, with new expressways, rural road connections, and metro routes.
These achievements inspire hope and optimism for India’s future, and the world is now viewing India with the same confidence in its rapid growth and potential. The Prime Minister said that the Bible teaches us to carry each other’s burdens, encouraging us to care for one another and take responsibility for each other's well-being.
With this mindset, institutions and organizations play a crucial role in social service, whether through establishing new schools, uplifting communities through education, or implementing health initiatives to serve the public.
He said hese efforts are seen as collective responsibilities. The Prime Minister reiterated that Jesus Christ showed the world the path of compassion and selfless service. We celebrate Christmas and remember Jesus so that we can incorporate these values into our lives and always prioritize our duties.
This is not only our personal responsibility but also a social duty. “Today, the nation is advancing with this spirit, through the resolution of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas’. There were many subjects that were never thought of before, but they were the most necessary from a human perspective.
We made them our priority. We took the government out of rigid rules and formalities. We set sensitivity as a parameter. Ensuring every poor person gets a permanent house, every village gets electricity, removing darkness from people’s lives, providing clean drinking water, ensuring no one is deprived of treatment due to a lack of money.
We created a sensitive system that can guarantee such services and such governance”, Shri Modi added. The Prime Minister underscored that the government's initiatives have significantly uplifted various communities. Under the PM Awas Yojana, when homes are built in the name of women, it empowers them.
The Nari Shakti Vandan Act has increased women’s participation in Parliament. Shri Modi said the differently-abled community, once marginalized, is now prioritized in every field, from public infrastructure to employment.
He said sensitivity in governance is crucial for economic growth, as seen with the creation of a separate fisheries ministry and programs like the Kisan Credit Card and Matsya Sampada Yojana, which have improved the lives of millions of fishermen and boosted the economy.
The Prime Minister said “From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I spoke of "Sabka Prayas," or collective effort, highlighting the importance of each individual's role in shaping the nation's future. Socially conscious Indians are driving significant movements, such as Swachh Bharat, which has improved cleanliness and health outcomes for women and children”.
Initiatives like promoting millets (Shree Anna), supporting local artisans, and the "Ek Ped Maa ke naam" campaign, which honors both Mother Nature and our mothers, are gaining momentum. Many from the Christian community are also active in these efforts.
These collective actions are essential to building a developed India. The Prime Minister said that he is confident that the collective efforts will propel the country forward. “A developed India is our shared goal, and together, we will achieve it.
It is our responsibility to ensure that we leave a brighter India for future generations. Once again, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all of you for Christmas and the Jubilee Year”, Shri Modi concluded.