Future generations should learn art, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on a painting after inauguration of Bombay Art Society's new building complex in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

Urging the masses to inculcate an artistic sensibility in the future generation to prevent it from becoming robotic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extolled the medium, saying it has no barriers such as age, time and religion. He was in the town to inaugurate the Bombay Art Society building at Bandra.

“When we say art, A stands for ageless, R stands for religionless and T stands for timeless...Art is ageless, religionless and timeless. It is a power and it should be a part of society. It is also our responsibility to promote it,” Mr Modi said.

Encouraging parents and schools to focus on art, the PM expressed the need for a change of perception towards the powerful medium. “Art is very necessary in the development of human beings. In the age of technology we should try and teach art to the young generation to prevent them from becoming robots. Schools should make a programme of viewing an art gallery at least once. Similarly, I have also told the Railway department to make an art gallery on railway platforms for local artists,” Mr Modi said.

The PM even lamented those who dismissed art as decorative pieces. “Art is a power and if we consider it only useful in decoration, then we are miles away from it. We need to change this thinking with the help of institutions. Art should not remain restricted to the walls of rich people but become the strength of the society” he added.

Appreciating efforts that have been made to decorate railway stations in Mumbai, Mr Modi linked them with the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan initiative. “The artists painted railway stations on their own. It was not the government scheme. It has such a good effect. More than giving a speech on Swacch Bharat it is better to create art works that inspire the people keep India clean,” he said.