Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made a striking comparison between characters from Indian epics and popular Hollywood superheroes, asserting the superiority of the former. He called upon the youth of India to draw inspiration from figures like Lord Ram and Krishna rather than fictional Western characters.
Epic Strength vs. Superhero Power
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (BVS) on December 26 at Tirupati's National Sanskrit University, Naidu presented his compelling argument. "Lord Hanuman’s strength surpasses that of Superman. Arjuna was a greater warrior than Iron Man or Batman," the Chief Minister stated. He emphasized that India's mythological heroes embody far greater values and ideals.
The event was also attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. Naidu urged parents, teachers, and society to instil knowledge of India's rich cultural heritage in children. He advocated moving beyond the limited narratives of Western superheroes like Spider-Man.
Championing Ram Rajya and Ancient Wisdom
Naidu highlighted Lord Rama as the ultimate symbol of righteousness. He pointed to Ram Rajya as representing the ideal form of governance. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of teaching children about the greatness of Hindu deities like Krishna and Lord Shiva, along with the profound lessons from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
"These epics are more profound than even popular films like Avatar," he remarked. The seventh edition of the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan is being held at the National Sanskrit University from December 26 to 29.
A Call for Population Planning and Cultural Pride
In his address, Naidu also touched upon the critical topic of population planning for India's future. Echoing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's views from August, he called for couples to ideally have three children. He framed population focus as key to India's long-term growth and global dominance by 2047 and beyond.
"From India, 4-5 crore people are outside India. If you go to any country today, the highest per capita income is among the Indians there... If we focus on population, 2047 and centuries beyond, it will be only India which will dominate," CM Naidu said. This perspective aligns with his known advocacy for technology and science, recently exemplified by his announcement of a ₹100 crore award for any Andhra Pradesh scientist winning a Nobel Prize in quantum science.
Naidu's speech seamlessly blended a call for cultural rediscovery with a vision for a scientifically advanced and demographically strong India, rooted in its timeless epics.
