NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Chola Empire as an “ancient roadmap” for a developed India, highlighting its economic and military achievements as inspiration for building a strong and self-reliant nation.Speaking at the valedictory function of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu, Modi honoured the legacy of Rajendra Chola I and released a commemorative coin to mark the emperor’s birth anniversary.“The Chola Empire tells us that if we want to make Viksit Bharat, we must strengthen our navy and defence forces and explore new opportunities,” he said.Dressed in traditional veshti, white shirt, and angavasthram, the Prime Minister lauded the Chola navy as a model of strategic might and said modern India is now embracing the philosophy of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi, development with heritage.“The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today,” he said.He noted that in the last decade, India has recovered over 600 ancient artefacts, with 36 from Tamil Nadu, underscoring efforts to reclaim the nation’s heritage.“Efforts have been made to recover ancient statues and artefacts stolen and sold abroad. After 2014, more than 600 have been brought back,” PM Modi said.He also referenced the symbolic role of Tamil Nadu in the inauguration of the new Parliament building:“During the Parliament inauguration, saints from Shaivite Adheenams led the ceremony. The Sengol, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, was ceremoniously installed. That moment fills me with immense pride.”The Prime Minister said that cultural unity was central to the Chola vision, a legacy the current government is carrying forward through events like Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam.He also paid tribute to Rajendra Chola’s architectural legacy, noting the global admiration for the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and the significance of the Maa Ganga festival celebrated on the banks of the sacred Kaveri River.Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a roadshow in Tiruchirappalli, where crowds lined the streets to welcome him. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the backdrop for the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, which celebrates Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditions and the legacy of the 63 Nayanmars, the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism.