Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the spirit of sacrifice was part of basic Indian thought and called for efforts to spread values of selfless service to the society.
Giving away the Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2016 here, the prime minister said it was the country's misfortune that writings for the past about 300 years had been about the royal families and how they lived.
"This was part of a thought out strategy so that the attention of people is on glamour," he said.
Modi said it was unfortunate that after the country's independence, too, attention was focused on the government's structures and politicians.
"Sometimes I feel they get more than required importance," Modi said.
He said a teacher who inspires hundreds of young children to become responsible members of society often remains unnoticed while a corporator may have a road or a roundabout named after him.
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Modi said those who got the awards had faced challenges and adversities.
"If you have a spark, you can change your conditions. If you look at the achievers in the world, most of them have faced challenges and yet given something to the society," Modi said.
He said it will also be seen that people who were regarded as "small" by the society have made big contribution.
Modi said there were millions of people who live for the society but were away from political structures.
He said the power of the society translates into power of the nation.
The prime minister said sacrifice was the part of basic thinking of Indian society.
He said people who work for the society do so because they get satisfaction out of it.
"What should we do highlight these immense values. How to give inspiration to the common man," he asked.