Cong's 'inclusive growth' slogan nothing new: Modi

In a veiled dig at the Congress for harping on the concept of "inclusive growth", Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said on Thursday this was not a new slogan for the country.

Using the platform of the 60th birth anniversary of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi in Kollam to offer some ideological perception of his party's campaign for next year's Lok Sabha polls, Modi said traditional values and philosophical principles could be the foundation for the country to emerge as a super power.

"Now there is a talk of inclusive growth... But this is nothing new for India... This has been the message given by our sages since ages," he said here addressing a big gathering including devotees of Amritanandamayi.

Recalling that ancient Indian sages had given messages like "loka samathsa sukhino bhavanthu" (let the whole world be happy) and taught rulers to conduct affairs of the state with this concept, Modi said, "I firmly believe that if we stick to these ideals, India could march forward and become a super power."

There had been many instances in the nation's history how the "rishis" inculcated this principle in the minds of illustrious kings while shaping themselves as future rulers. In more recent times, these ideals had been re-emphasised by spiritual leaders and reformers like Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo, the Gujarat chief minister said.

Skipping over political references, the BJP leader said although the present situation in the country is dismal, he would not give into despondency because he was confident that a bright future is waiting.