1.#Wedesday 25, June 2025, 07:30. 3966/2. ##News Updates: PM addresses the centenary celebration of historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru & Mahatma Gandhi: 24 Jun, 2025 //3.###PM’s address at Centenary Celebration Meeting of Conversation between Sree Narayana Guru & Gandhi Ji: 24 Jun 2025. ///

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1.#Wednesday 25, June 2025, 07:30. 3966/

2. ##News Updates: PM addresses the centenary celebration of historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru & Mahatma Gandhi: 24 Jun 2025 //

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VIDEO: https://youtu.be/3-CdihchXQ0?t=1 

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PM addresses the centenary celebration of historic conversation between Sree Narayana Guru &#038, Mahatma Gandhiji.

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COMMENTS:

The ideals of Sree Narayana Guru are a great treasure for all of humanity: PM

India has been blessed with remarkable saints, sages and social reformers who have brought about transformative changes in society: PM

Sree Narayana Guru envisioned a society free from all forms of discrimination, today, by adopting the saturation approach, the country is working to eliminate every possibility of discrimination: PM

Missions like Skill India are empowering the youth and making them self-reliant: PM

To empower India, we must lead on every front – economic, social and military. Today, the nation is moving forward on this very path: PM

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebration of the historic conversation between two of India’s greatest spiritual and moral leaders Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister extended his respectful greetings, remarking that today the venue is witnessing an unprecedented moment in the nation’s history. He emphasized that it was a historic event that gave new direction to our freedom movement, concrete meaning to the objectives of freedom and the dream of an independent India. “The meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, which took place 100 years ago, remains inspirational and relevant even today, and serves as a powerful source of energy for social harmony and for collective goals of a developed India”, stated the Prime Minister. On this historic occasion, he offered his salutations at the feet of Sree Narayana Guru and also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

“The ideals of Sree Narayana Guru are a great asset to all of humanity”, exclaimed Shri Modi, adding that for those committed to the service of the country and society, Sree Narayana Guru serves as a guiding light. He shared his long-standing connection with the oppressed, exploited, and deprived sections of society. The Prime Minister emphasized that even today, when he takes major decisions for the betterment of these communities, he remembers Gurudev. Reflecting on the social conditions 100 years ago, shaped by distortions from centuries of colonial rule, Shri Modi noted that at that time, people were afraid to speak out against prevailing social evils. However, he highlighted that Sree Narayana Guru was undeterred by opposition and unafraid of challenges. The Prime Minister pointed out that Sree Narayana Guru’s conviction lay in harmony and equality with staunch belief in truth, service, and goodwill. Affirming that this very inspiration shows us the path of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, Shri Modi stated that this belief empowers us to build an India where the person standing at the last mile is our highest priority.

Underlining that the people and saints associated with the Sivagiri Math are well aware of his deep and unwavering faith in Sree Narayana Guru and the Math, the Prime Minister expressed that he has always been blessed with the affection of the revered saints of the Math. He recalled the 2013 natural disaster in Kedarnath, during which many individuals from Sivagiri Math were stranded, the Math entrusted him, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, with the responsibility of safely evacuating those trapped. Shri Modi noted that in times of crisis, one’s attention first turns to those they consider their own — those they feel a sense of belonging and responsibility toward. He remarked that there can be no greater spiritual satisfaction for him than the sense of kinship and trust shown by the saints of Sivagiri Math.

Stressing that he shares a connection with Kashi, the Prime Minister mentioned that Varkala has long been referred to as the Kashi of the South. He affirmed that whether Kashi is in the North or the South, for him, every Kashi is his own.

Shri Modi said that he has been fortunate to intimately understand and live India’s spiritual traditions and the legacy of its sages and seers. He highlighted that a unique strength of India lies in how, whenever the nation faces turmoil, a great personality arises from some corner of the country to show a new path to society. He noted that some work toward the spiritual upliftment of society, while others accelerate social reforms. The Prime Minister remarked that Sree Narayana Guru was one such great saint. He noted that his works such as ‘Nivritti Panchakam’ and ‘Atmopadesa Satakam’ serve as essential guides for any student of Advaita and spiritual study.

Noting that the core subjects of Sree Narayana Guru were yoga, Vedanta, spiritual practice, and liberation, Shri Modi emphasized that Sree Narayana Guru understood the spiritual upliftment of a society trapped in social evils could only be achieved through its social advancement. He highlighted that Sree Narayana Guru transformed spirituality into a medium for social reform and public welfare. He remarked that Gandhi ji too drew inspiration and guidance from the efforts of Sree Narayana Guru. The Prime Minister added that even scholars like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore benefited from discussions with Sree Narayana Guru.

Sharing an anecdote about a time when someone recited Sree Narayana Guru’s Atmopadesa Satakam to Ramana Maharshi, the Prime Minister noted that upon hearing it, Ramana Maharshi remarked that “He knows everything.” He reflected on the period when foreign ideologies attempted to undermine India’s civilization, culture, and philosophy, Sree Narayana Guru made us realize that the fault did not lie in our original traditions, but needed to truly internalize our spirituality. He stated that we are a people who see Narayana in every human and Shiva in every living being. He added that we perceive non-duality in duality, unity in diversity, and oneness even in apparent differences.

Highlighting that everyone is aware of Sree Narayana Guru’s mantra — ‘Oru Jati, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam, Manushyanum,’ meaning ‘One caste, one religion, one God for mankind’, which reflects the unity of all humanity and all living beings, Shri Modi emphasized that this philosophy forms the foundation of India’s civilizational ethos. He noted that today, India is expanding this philosophy with the spirit of global welfare. Highlighting the recent celebration of International Yoga Day and mentioned that this year’s theme was ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, symbolizing the vision of one planet and universal well-being, the Prime Minister stated that earlier, India had also launched global initiatives like ‘One World, One Health’ for the welfare of humanity. He underlined that India is now leading global movements in the direction of sustainable development, such as ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’. Recalling that during India’s presidency of the G20 Summit in 2023, the theme was ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the Prime Minister affirmed that these efforts are rooted in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and inspired by saints like Sree Narayana Guru.

“Sree Narayana Guru envisioned a society free from discrimination, Today, the country is eliminating every possibility of discrimination by following a saturation approach”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He urged people to recall the conditions 10–11 years ago, when despite decades of independence, millions of citizens were forced to live in extremely difficult circumstances. The Prime Minister pointed out that millions of families lacked shelter, countless villages had no access to clean drinking water, and even minor illnesses could not be treated due to lack of healthcare and in cases of serious illness, there was no way to save lives. He said that millions of poor people—Dalits, tribals, women—were deprived of basic human dignity. Shri Modi emphasized that these hardships persisted across generations, leading many to give up hope for a better life. He questioned how a nation could progress when such a large population lived in pain and despair. Shri Modi stressed that their government made compassion a central part of its thinking and turned service into its mission. He added that as a result under the PM Awas Yojana, millions of poor, Dalit, distressed, oppressed, and deprived families have been provided with permanent homes. He reiterated the government’s goal of ensuring a home for every poor citizen and these homes are not just brick-and-cement structures but reflect the full concept of a home, equipped with all necessary amenities. That is why the houses built under the PM Awas Yojana come with gas, electricity, and sanitation facilities. Talking about the Jal Jeevan Mission, under which clean water is being delivered to every household, the Prime Minister highlighted that even in tribal regions where government services had never reached, development is now assured. He added that for the most marginalized tribal communities, the PM Janman Yojana was launched and many regions are witnessing transformation because of this initiative. Shri Modi remarked that as a result, even those at the lowest rungs of society have found renewed hope. “These initiatives are not only changing their lives but also seeing themselves playing a vital role in nation-building”, he added.

The Prime Minister stated that Sree Narayana Guru consistently emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment, and the government is progressing with the mantra of Women-Led Development. He pointed out that even decades after independence, there were several sectors in India where women were outrightly banned from entry. He affirmed that the government removed these restrictions, enabling women to gain rights in new areas. Shri Modi highlighted that today, from sports to space, women are making the nation proud in every field. Noting that every section and segment of society is now contributing to the dream of a developed India with renewed confidence, the Prime Minister mentioned initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, environmental campaigns, the construction of Amrit Sarovars, and millet awareness drives. He emphasized that these efforts are progressing through the spirit of public participation, powered by the strength of 140 crore Indians.

Highlighting the timeless vision of Sree Narayana Guru, who proclaimed: ‘Enlightenment through education, Strength through organisation, and Prosperity through industry’, Shri Modi said, ‘Sree Narayana Guru not only articulated this vision but also laid the foundation of key institutions to realise it’. The Prime Minister noted that it was in Sivagiri that Guruji established the Sharada Mutt, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. He emphasised that this institution symbolises the belief that education must become the means of upliftment and liberation for the marginalised. Shri Modi expressed satisfaction that the efforts initiated by Gurudev continue to expand even today, with numerous cities across the country, Gurudev Centres and the Sree Narayana Cultural Mission actively working for the welfare of humanity.

“The vision of social welfare through education, organisation, and industrial progress is clearly reflected in the country’s current policies and decisions”, said the Prime Minister, highlighting that after several decades, a new National Education Policy has been implemented. This policy not only modernises and makes education more inclusive but also promotes learning in the mother tongue. He emphasised that the greatest beneficiaries of this initiative are the underprivileged and marginalised sections of society. Shri Modi stated that in the past decade, the number of new IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS established across the country has surpassed the total created in the first 60 years after independence. As a result, new opportunities in higher education have opened up for poor and disadvantaged youth. The Prime Minister noted that over 400 Eklavya residential schools have been opened in tribal areas in the last 10 years. He observed that children from tribal communities, who had been deprived of education for generations, are now progressing. He further stated that education has been directly linked to skills and opportunities. Missions like Skill India are empowering the youth to become self-reliant. Underlining the country’s industrial progress, Shri Modi said major reforms in the private sector, and schemes like Mudra Yojana and Stand-Up India are delivering the greatest benefits to Dalits, backward classes, and tribal communities.

“Sree Narayana Guru envisioned a strong and empowered India, and to realise this vision, India must remain at the forefront across economic, social, and military domains”, remarked the Prime Minister. He stated that the country is moving steadily along this path and is rapidly advancing toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Shri Modi remarked that the world has recently witnessed the strength of India, pointing out that Operation Sindoor has clearly demonstrated India’s firm and uncompromising policy against terrorism on the global stage. He affirmed that India has made it evident—no shelter is safe for terrorists who spill the blood of Indian citizens.

“Today’s India takes decisions based solely on what is right for national interest”, stated Shri Modi, emphasising that the country’s dependence on foreign nations for military needs is steadily decreasing. He highlighted that India is becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. The Prime Minister noted that this shift was clearly evident during Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces compelled the enemy to surrender within 22 minutes using domestically manufactured weapons. He expressed confidence that in the coming times, Made-in-India weapons will earn global recognition and acclaim.

Emphasising that to fulfil the nation’s aspirations, it is essential to take the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru to every citizen, the Prime Minister stated that the government is actively working in this direction. He highlighted that the development of the Sivagiri Circuit is underway to connect pilgrimage sites associated with the life of Sree Narayana Guru. Shri Modi expressed confidence that the blessings and teachings of Shri Narayana Guru will continue to guide the nation on its journey through Amrit Kaal. He affirmed that together, the people of India will realise the dream of a developed nation. Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister extended his reverence once again to all the saints of the Sivagiri Mutt, wishing that the blessings of Sree Narayana Guru remain with everyone.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri George Kurien, revered saints from the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust were present among other dignitaries at the event.

Background

The historic conversation between two of India’s greatest spiritual and moral leaders Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi took place at Sivagiri Mutt on 12 March 1925 during Mahatma Gandhi’s visit and centred around Vaikom Satyagraha, religious conversions, non-violence, abolition of untouchability, attainment of salvation, the uplift of the downtrodden among others.

Organised by Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, the celebration will bring together spiritual leaders and other members to reflect upon and commemorate the visionary dialogue that continues to shape India’s social and moral fabric. It stands as a powerful tribute to the shared vision of social justice, unity, and spiritual harmony championed by both Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi.

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3.###PM’s address at Centenary Celebration Meeting of Conversation between Sree Narayana Guru & Gandhi Ji: 24 Jun 2025. ///

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VIDEO: https://youtu.be/3-CdihchXQ0?t=1

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PM’s address at Centenary Celebration Meeting of Conversation between Sree Narayana Guru & Gandhi Ji.

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Brahmarishi Swami Sachchidananda Ji, Srimath Swami Shubhanga-Nanda Ji, Swami Sharadananda Ji, all the revered saints, my colleague in the government Shri George Kurian Ji, my colleague in Parliament Shri Adoor Prakash Ji, all other senior dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen.

पिन्ने एनडे ऐल्ला, प्रियपेट्ट मलयाली सहोदिरि सहोदरन मार्कु, एनडे विनीतमाय नमस्कारम्।

Today this complex is witnessing an unprecedented event in the history of the country. A historic event that not only gave a new direction to our freedom movement but also gave concrete meaning to the goal of freedom and the dream of an independent India. That meeting of Sre Narayan Guru and Mahatma Gandhi 100 years ago is equally inspiring and relevant even today. That meeting which took place 100 years ago, remains a great source of energy for social harmony and for the collective goals of a developed India even today. On this historic occasion, I bow down to the feet of Sree Narayan Guru. I also pay my tribute to Gandhiji.

Brothers and sisters, 

The ideals of Sree Narayan Guru are a great asset for the entire humanity. Sree Narayana Guru is like a lighthouse for those who work with the resolve to serve the country and society. You all know what kind of relationship I have with the exploited, oppressed and deprived sections of the society. And that is why even today, whenever I take big decisions for the oppressed and deprived section of the society, I definitely remember Gurudev. The social conditions of 100 years ago, the distortions that came about due to centuries of slavery, people were afraid to speak against those evils in those times. But Sree Narayan Guru did not care about the opposition, he was not afraid of difficulties, because he believed in harmony and equality. He believed in truth, service and harmony. This inspiration shows us the path of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. This belief gives us the strength to build an India where the person standing at the last rung is our first priority.

Friends, 

The people and saints associated with the Shivagiri Math also know how much faith I have in Sree Narayan Guru and the Shivagiri Math. I was not able to understand the language, but the things that Pujya Sachchidananda ji was telling, he was remembering all the old things. And I was also seeing that you were getting very emotional and connecting with him on all those things. And I am fortunate that the revered saints of the Math have always given me their affection. I remember, in 2013, when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, when natural calamity struck Kedarnath, many revered saints of Shivagiri Math were stuck there, some devotees were also stuck. Shivagiri Math did not contact the Indian government for the safe evacuation of people trapped there. Prakash Ji, don’t mind. I was the Chief Minister of a state, Shivagiri Math ordered me and trusted this servant to do this work. And by the grace of God, I was able to bring all the saints and devotees safely.

Friends, 

Anyway, in difficult times, our first attention goes towards that which we consider our own, on which we feel we have a right. And I am happy that you consider me your own. What could be more spiritually pleasing to me than this closeness with the saints of Shivagiri Math?

Friends, 

I also have a relationship with all of you through Kashi. Varkala has also been known as Kashi of the South for centuries. And whether the Kashi is of the North or the South, for me every Kashi is my Kashi.

Friends, 

I have had the good fortune of knowing and living closely the spiritual tradition of India, the legacy of its sages and saints. It is the specialty of India that whenever our country gets caught in the whirlpool of problems, some great personality is born in some corner of the country and shows a new direction to the society. Some work for the spiritual upliftment of the society. Some give impetus to social reforms in the social sector. Sree Narayan Guru was one such great saint. His works like ‘निवृत्ति पंचकम्’and ‘आत्मोपदेश शतकम्’ are like a guide for any student of Advaita and spirituality.

Friends, 

Yoga and Vedanta, Sadhana and Mukti were the main subjects of Sree Narayan Guru. But he knew that the spiritual upliftment of a society trapped in evil practices would be possible only through its social upliftment. Therefore, he made spirituality a medium of social reform and social welfare. And Gandhiji also got inspiration from such efforts of Sree Narayan Guru and took guidance from him. Scholars like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore also benefited from discussions with Sree Narayan Guru.

Friends,

Once someone recited Sree Narayan Guru’s आत्मोपदेश शतकम् to Ramana Maharishi. After listening to it, Ramana Maharishi said- “अवर एल्लाम तेरीन्जवर”। That means- He knows everything! And at a time when conspiracies were being hatched to degrade Indian civilisation, culture and philosophy under the influence of foreign ideas, Sree Narayan Guru made us realise that the fault was not in our original tradition. We need to imbibe our spirituality in the true sense. We are people who see SreeNarayan in human, Shiva in living beings. We see non-duality in duality. We see non-difference even in difference. We see unity even in diversity.

Friends, 

You all know that Sree Narayan Guru’s mantra was- “ओरु जाति, ओरु मतम्, ओरु दैवम्, मनुष्यनु।” That is, unity of entire humanity, unity of all living beings! This idea is the root of India’s life culture, its foundation. Today India is expanding that idea with the spirit of global welfare. You see, just recently we celebrated International Yoga Day. This time the theme of Yoga Day was- Yoga for One Earth, One Health. That is, one earth, one health! Even before this, India has started initiatives like One World, One Health for global welfare. Today, India is also leading global movements like One Sun, One Earth, One Grid in the direction of sustainable development. You will remember, when India hosted the G-20 Summit in 2023, we had kept its theme as “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. The spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is associated with these efforts of ours. The inspiration of saints like Sree Narayan Guru is associated with it.

Friends, 

Sree Narayan Guru had envisioned a society that is free from discrimination! I am satisfied that today the country is following a saturation approach and eliminating every scope for discrimination. But remember the situation 10-11 years ago, what kind of life were crores of countrymen forced to live even after so many decades of independence? Crores of families did not even have a roof over their heads! There was no clean drinking water in lakhs of villages, there was no option to get treatment even for minor illnesses, if a serious disease occurred, there was no way to save life, crores of poor, Dalit, tribal, women were deprived of basic human dignity! And, these crores of people were living in such difficulties for so many generations that even the hope of a better life had died in their minds. How could the country progress when such a large population of the country was in such pain and despair? And so, we first instilled sensitivity into the government’s thinking! We made service our resolution! As a result of this, we have been able to provide concrete houses to crores of poor-Dalit-suffering-exploited-deprived families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Our goal is to give every poor person his permanent house. And this house is not just a structure made of brick and cement, it embodies the concept of a house and has all the essential facilities. We don’t provide a building with four walls; we provide a home that transforms dreams into resolutions. That is why every facility like gas, electricity, toilet is being ensured in the houses under PM Awas Yojana. Water is being supplied to every house under Jal Jeevan Mission. In such tribal areas, where the government never reached, today the guarantee of development is reaching there. Among the tribals, especially the most backward tribals, we have started PM JanMan Yojana for them. Due to this, the image of many areas is changing today. The result of this is that new hope has arisen even in the person standing at the last rung of the society. He is not only changing his life, but he is also seeing his strong role in nation building.

Friends, 

Sree Narayan Guru had always emphasized on women empowerment. Our government is also moving ahead with the mantra of Women Led Development. Even after so many years of independence, there were many areas in our country where entry of women was banned. We removed these restrictions, women got rights in new areas, today daughters are bringing glory to the country in every field from sports to space. Today every section, every class of the society is contributing with confidence to the dream of a developed India. Campaigns like Swachh Bharat Mission, environment related campaigns, construction of Amrit Sarovar, awareness campaigns about millets, we are moving ahead with the spirit of public participation, we are moving ahead with the strength of 140 crore countrymen.

Friends, 

Sree Narayan Guru used to say- विद्या कोंड प्रब्बुद्धर आवुका संगठना कोंड शक्तर आवुका, प्रयत्नम कोंड संपन्नार आवुका”। That is, “Enlightenment through education, Strength through organization, Prosperity through industry”. He himself laid the foundation of important institutions to realize this vision. Guruji established Sharada Math in Shivagiri itself. This Math, dedicated to Maa Sarasvati, gives the message that education will be the medium of upliftment and liberation for the deprived. I am happy that those efforts of Gurudev are continuously expanding even today. Gurudev Centers and Sri Narayan Cultural Mission are working for the welfare of humanity in many cities of the country.

Friends, 

Today we can see the clear imprint of this vision of social welfare through education, organization and industrial progress in the policies and decisions of the country. After so many decades, we have implemented a new National Education Policy in the country. The new education policy not only makes education modern and inclusive, but also promotes studying in mother tongue. The backward and deprived sections are getting the biggest benefit from this.

Friends, 

In the last decade, we have opened so many new IITs, IIMs, AIIMS in the country, as many were not opened in the last 60 years after independence. Due to this, new opportunities have opened up for poor and deprived youth in higher education. In the last 10 years, more than 400 Eklavya residential schools have been opened in tribal areas. The children of tribal communities who were deprived of education for many generations are now moving ahead.

Brothers and sisters, 

We have directly linked education to skills and opportunities. Missions like Skill India are making the youth of the country self-reliant. The country’s industrial progress, major reforms in the private sector, Mudra Yojana, Standup Yojana, all these are benefiting the Dalit, backward and tribal communities the most.

Friends, 

Sree Narayana Guru wanted a strong India. For the empowerment of India, we have to be ahead in every aspect, economic, social and defence. Today the country is moving on this path. India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world’s third largest economy. Recently the world has also seen what India is capable of. Operation Sindoor has made India’s tough policy against terrorism absolutely clear to the world. We have shown that no place is safe for terrorists who shed the blood of Indians.

Friends, 

Today’s India takes steps according to whatever is possible and right in the national interest. Today, India’s dependence on foreign countries for military needs is also constantly decreasing. We are becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. And we have seen its effect during Operation Sindoor as well. Our forces forced the enemy to surrender in 22 minutes with weapons made in India. I am confident that in the times to come, made in India weapons will be famous all over the world.

Friends,

To fulfil the resolutions of the country, we have to spread the teachings of Sree Narayan Guru to the masses. Our government is also working actively in this direction. We are connecting the pilgrimage places associated with the life of Sree Narayana Guru by creating Shivagiri Circuit. I am confident that his blessings and teachings will continue to guide the nation in our journey towards Amritkaal. Together, we will fulfil the dream of a developed India. With the wish that the blessings of Sree Narayana Guru may remain upon all of us, I once again bow to all the saints of Shivagiri Math. Thank you very much to all of you! Namaskaram!

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JAI HIND
JAI BHARATHAM
VATE MATHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAI.

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