Mutual respect natural to India: Kovind
ALIGARH: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said mutual respect and acceptance of alternative ways of thinking and living are not just slogans in Indian society but formed the country's natural way of life.
"These lessons hold proof of us as a country, they hold proof within and between religions of our country and they hold within and between communities of our country.
It is important to constantly redo this spirit," the President said during the 65th Convocation Ceremony at the Aligarh Muslim University here.
"We live in an age of globalisation, of building a world that just not accommodates but celebrates diversity, combines the best of modern technology with the traditions and cultures of our society to build the India of our dreams," he said.
"Such an India will be helpful for every Indian where every boy and girl, irrespective of background or the identity, can realise his or her full potential... Such an India will be a beacon of hope for restless world in the early 21th century.
The President said that there is a very long list of distinguished students of AMU. They have excelled in politics, administration, education, law, science and technology, literature, arts and sports. He noted that Bharat Ratna awardee Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, anti-apartheid activist Dr Yusuf Mohammad Dadu, and former President of India Dr Zakir Hussain were students of this university. He also mentioned the contributions of, among others, Dr Syed Zahur Qasim, Professor A. Salahuddin and Dr Shahid Jameel to modern science.
"Given the legacy of Aligarh University, which as Sir Syed Ahmad rightly said was to hold philosophy in one hand and natural science in the other, I hope the students of this university will continue to contribute and make a mark in our society," he said.
The President said that progressive women like Ismat Chughtai and Mumtaz Jahan have added to the lustre of Indian society and of AMU. He pointed to the commendable example of Khushboo Mirza, a former student of AMU who has played a key role as a scientist in ISRO'S Chandrayaan Mission. Achievers like her are role models for women in the 21st century.