Indians must look for opportunities to be united: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said it is easy to get divided but instead opportunities must be sought to unite.

Concluding the debate in the Rajya Sabha to mark the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of B.R. Ambedkar, one of the prime architects of the constitution, Modi said: "The mantra of unity should be in focus... There are many excuses to be divided, but we must look for opportunities to be united."

The prime minister said the decision to mark Constitution Day was to make future generations aware of the constitution and the eminent people who formulated it.

He noted that Ambedkar helped frame a constitution that stands for social justice but added that it would not work unless those values are inculcated in the society.

"The constitution Babasaheb (as Ambedkar is popularly called) made has social justice... But it will not be effective if the society is not ready to change. Social awareness is also needed, and this is the message that should go from the house," he said.

Modi said he had thought of a programme to push national integration - "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" - under which every state can observe a year dedicated to another state.

During this period, culture and language of the other state would be highlighted.

"Why not teach Malayalam alphabets to children in schools in Chhattisgarh or show Malayalam movies in Chhattisgarh?" he said.

Modi said the patriotism of Indians could never be doubted.

"No one can doubt the patriotism of 1.25 billion Indians, nor does any one need to give any proof of his patriotism every day," he said.

The discussion started in the upper house on Friday.