TIA Correspondent /
President Pranab Mukherjee today said that that core values of India’s civilisation could not be forgotten. Speaking at a book release function in New Delhi today, Mr Mukherjee said, diversity, tolerance and plurality are the core of Indian values and they must be kept in mind.
The President’s remarks assumes significance on the backdrop of lynching of a person for allegedly consuming beef in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.
“Many ancient civilisations have fallen. Despite aggression after aggression, our civilisation has survived because of our core civilisational values. If we keep that in mind, nothing can prevent our democracy from moving ahead,” he added.
Mukherjee was speaking after receiving the first copy of a coffee-table book on him titled “The Nationalist President – Pranab Mukherjee” from Vice President Hamid Ansari, who formally released it at the function.
The president said he felt “humbled” on the occasion and has received much more from the country than he has given to it.
The president said he had seen political developments in the country for a considerable period of time, adding: “India has made tremendous progress and there have been many advancements but we will have to do much more.”
Before releasing the book, Ansari said it was a record of the president’s enlightened vision.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on the occasion that during the last five decades, Mukherjee dominated the political scene and has been known as an eminent political leader and a consensus builder.
At another function in New Delhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said strongest possible action will be taken against those who try to disrupt communal harmony in the country. Mr Singh said the lynching of person was an unfortunate incident.