AndhraNews.Net - Prime Minister calls for Universal Adoption of the Indian Ideal of Respect for all faiths

Prime Minister calls for Universal Adoption of the Indian Ideal of Respect for all faiths

International Conference 'Dialogue among Civilisations: Quest for New Perspectives' inaugurated

New Delhi: July 9, 2003

The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee today suggested that ideal of Sarva Pantha Samabvhava'- respect for all faiths, which is enshrined in India's Constitution, should be accepted by all countries of the World. Tolerance, he said should become a global ideal. This would go a long way in promoting understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples belonging to different faiths and cultures.

Inaugurating the International Conference on Dialogue Among Civilizations : Quest for New Perspectives, here today, the Prime Minister, called for working towards confluence of civilizations. At the same time, he emphasized upon the need for "The Culture of Dialogue" at National level so that contentious issues can be resolved amicably through talks. He added, "Dialogue is an essential part of democracy. Democracy both requires and mandates dialogue. The more a nation can harmonise differences at home, the greater will be its ability to contribute to a dialogue at the international level."

The Prime Minister said that it was a fitting tribute to India's longstanding tradition of tolerance that the Zoroastrians, a prominent minority community were holding an exhibition to herald the celebrations of the 3000th Year of Zoroastrianism, to coincide with this Conference.

Addressing the Conference, the Minister for Human Resource Development, Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi stated that today we stand at a new stage in the progress of the human civilization where intolerance and aggression are obstacles; that these obstacles are endangered by ignorance, and that this ignorance can best be cleared by a new mode of awareness and a new mode of action that promotes diversity, interchange, assimilation, synthesis and enrichment. Dialogue is the most effective means towards this end. It should also be made clear that a true and sincere dialogue aims not only at tolerance of diversity but at respecting this diversity, he added.

The Minister pointed out that India has a long tradition of fostering dialogue among different communities, cultures and civilizations. It has interacted with the World, and its Scholars and Monks have carried this tradition to different parts of the globe. It presents a unique and ennobling experience of spiritual co-existence.

Dr. Joshi stated that concerted action was needed towards development of a curriculum that can bring home to the students important lessons, such as, the entire humanity shares one basic impulse towards progress; that humanity in its mature developments, tends to reject uniformity and adopts the law of unity that permits and respects cultural diversities; and that the future progress of humankind is bound up with the development of a new science and art of living together, which necessitates adherence to the law of mutuality rather than conflict and the law of varied expressions rather than any uniform monotone. Education is the most powerful instrument for preparing a mind which can promote the culture of dialogue, he said.

On the occasion, Director General, UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura underlined the importance of recognizing that after the cold war coming to an end,

new tensions, uncertainties and conflicts began to appear on the international scene. He added that the task in this meeting would be search for new perspectives on dialogue among civilizations in light of events and developments occurring at the start of the 21st Century.

The Conference is being attended by the Ministers and Delegates from over 50 countries, besides philosophers, academicians and representatives of International Organisations. During the two-day Conference discussions will be held by 3 sub-groups on the themes of education and cultural diversity : instruments of global dialogue; science and technology, humanities and social sciences : the new frontiers for global unity and connectivity between civilizations ; and ethical and spiritual values underlying the dialogue of civilizations. A Delhi Declaration will be issued at the end of the Conference tomorrow.

Press Release by: PIB/MKP/MV/SKS

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