Ramalinga Swami is one of our most respected saints, says PM Modi on his 200th birth anniversary

Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], October 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he is honoured to address the program marking the 200th birth anniversary of Ramalinga Swami, also known as Vallalar.
PM Modi through a video conference connected to the gathering assembled in Vadalur for the anniversary program and expressed his delight at holding the event in Vadalur, a place closely associated with Vallalar.
"Vallalar is one of our most respected saints. He walked this earth in the 19th century but his spiritual insights continue to inspire millions of people even today," said Modi.
Highlighting Vallalar's ethos of compassion, the Prime Minister emphasized on the saint's unwavering commitment to eradicate hunger.
"Vallalar believed in compassion towards fellow human beings, one of his most important contribution was his strong commitment to remove hunger. Nothing pained him more than a human being going to bed, empty stomach. He believed that sharing food with hungry is one of the most noble acts of kindness," said the Prime Minister.
PM Modi further said that we all are committed to this vision and recalled that when the COVID pandemic struck the country, 80 crore Indians received free rations which was a major relief in testing times.
Vallalar's dedication to education and learning was also highlighted by PM Modi.
He said that Vallalar gave importance to modern educational curriculum, further highlighting that how India after three decades has got a national education policy which is transforming the entire educational landscape.
The Prime Minister praised Vallalar's progressive stance on social reforms, noting that his vision of divinity transcended religion, caste, and creed boundaries.
He further expressed confidence that the saint would have blessed the passage of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' which reserves seats for women in legislative bodies.
Earlier during the day, the Prime Minster was on his visit to Rajasthan's Jodhpur where he addressing a rally took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over his absence at the official event in which projects of about Rs 5,000 crore were unveiled and said the Congress leader has confidence that when Modi comes, everything will be fine.
PM Modi, who addressed a rally after unveiling the development projects in Jodhpur, also attacked the Congress government in Rajasthan over the law and order situation in the state, saying there were several instances of atrocities against the Dalits and women.