Unfinished Agenda
Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest man of the twentieth century, often talked about poverty. For the prophet of non-violence, poverty was the worst form of violence.
In the backdrop of growing incidents of attacks on people on religious grounds, former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that Indians can be “argumentative” but Indians should never be “intolerant”. Tolerance is the very basis that forms our ethics, Mr Mukherjee said.
Speaking at an event organised by a school at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Monday, Mr Mukherjee said: “There are many paths; many people believe in different principle and ideas. But different ideologies can have peaceful co-existence.
That is what our prophets, our sages and our philosophers have taught us.” “I am entitled to have my opinion just as others too are allowed to express their view. As I expect my views should be respected, I should also respect views about others,” he added.
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Addressing the students, the veteran politician said: “When I look at this magnificent land, our country, after five decades of a political career, I wonder at the rich mix of culture.”
“We speak about 200 languages and dialects, we have people hailing from a large number of ethnic group and religions . Such a huge diversity but under one flag, one constitution, one set of rules.” he added.
Evoking the principles of “tolerance” and “non-violence” upheld by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the former President said: “It is not by barbarism, by humiliation that a country can prosper. Course of human history have never been shaped by sword but by intolerance preached by Mahatma Gandhi.”
He urged the students to also inculcate values of “compassion”. “I would ask the young minds to imbibe the core values of our ancient civilisation which is 5000 years old; the old school values that are still relevant. Be compassionate, affectionate, tolerant, understanding to all around you.”
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