NEW DELHI, Sept 20:
Expressing concern over the continuance of communalism despite the directive principles of state policy and all administrative measures, President Pranab Mukherjee today stressed that maintaining social peace and harmony in the country was not just the responsibility of the government but of every individual.
Speaking after presenting the National Communal Harmony Awards for the year 2011 and 2012 at a function here, the President said, “Our Constitution lays down the fundamental duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities.
“However, despite this sacred mandate, despite the Directive Principles of State Policy and despite the safeguards that our laws provide, despite all the measures taken by our administrative machinery, why is it that communalism does not seem to go away from our society?
“Why is it that we do not learn the lessons from our own history but keep repeating the same tragic mistakes?”
Describing tolerance and wisdom as the very foundation of India’s secular fabric, the President said, “Although maintenance of social peace and harmony is a function of government, this responsibility cannot be delinked from the duties of each and every individual citizen.”
In this context, the President said the distinguished awardees who were felicitated should be emulated.
“We should strive to complement their achievements with our own individual and collective efforts. Each one of us must think of our own personal contribution to peace, harmony, amity and accord in our respective spheres of activities,” he said.
The function was also attended by Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
The President said the strength and resilience of Indian society lies in its plurality and diversity. This unique quality has not been imported from anywhere nor has it come into our society by accident — rather it has been consciously nurtured and nourished by the tolerance and wisdom of the Indian consciousness. (UNI)
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