Sonia Gandhi: Education must inculcate respect for the diversities of our society

Congress President Sonia Gandhi attended the 105th birthday celebrations of the highly respected Lingayat seer Shivakumara Swami at 'Siddaganga Mutt' at Tumkur in Bangalore, which is considered to be one of India's oldest religious institutions. “May Dr Shivakumara Swami jee continue to inspire lakhs and lakhs of people across the state, across the country and indeed across the world in the cause of education, social service, philanthropy and spirituality,” said Sonia Gandhi paying respects to the seer in her address.
Focusing the right to education, the Congress President said, “The primary education has been made a fundamental right. It is for all of us to ensure that this right is asserted and imposed so that all of India’s children from 6 to 14 receive free education”.
Striking an emotional chord with the people of Karnataka, the UPA Chairperson added that nothing exemplifies India’s diversity better than Karnataka itself, where people belonging to different culture, believing in different faith and speaking different languages have lived and worked for peace and harmony with each other.
Sonia Gandhi also asserted that education must inculcate respect for the wonderful diversities of our society. “It is this diversity that has given us strength. Beneath this diversity lays the continuity and unity of our great nation” stressed Sonia Gandhi.
Here is the full text of Sonia Gandhi’s address:
“I am hounoured to be here at the hallowed premises of this Siddaganga Mutt as we celebrate 80 years of the dedicated service of Dr. Shivakumara Swami jee to the cause of humanity. It is a privilege to congratulate the revere Swamijee on completing 104 years, on having witnessed 104 springs of nature of life. May Dr Shivakumara Swaijee continue to inspire lakhs and lakhs of people across the state, across the country and indeed across the world in the cause of education, social service, philanthropy and spirituality. This Sri Siddaganga Mutt with its recorded history of 600 years is truly unique.
Its achievements in the field of education are outstanding. Thousands of boys and girls from poor families are given free food, shelter and schooling. Its colleges and institutions of higher learning have acquired a national reputation.
Over the past century, Karnataka has given birth to many radical social reformers who have transformed the very fabric of our society. Foremost amongst them is Shri. Bhasaveswara, who advocated the cause of a casteless society, who championed the cause of equality of opportunity, who fought tirelessly for social justice, almost 900 years ago. His teachings have a profound influence on millions including the Siddaganga Mutt and continue to resonate and to be relevant even today.   
Education is, no doubt, about academic learning. It is, no doubt, about acquiring qualifications to ultimately find security and fulfillment in life. But surely there has to be something deeper, something more basic to education if it is to serve as an effective instrument of nation building. And that something is values - moral values. Education must inculcate respect for the wonderful diversities of our society. It is this diversity that has given us strength. Beneath this diversity lays the continuity and unity of our great nation.
An open participative, representative democracy is its anchor and nothing exemplifies India’s diversity better than Karnataka itself, where people belonging to different culture, believing in different faith and speaking different languages have lived and worked for peace and harmony with each other to the ages. Education must instill a great respect to our secular heritage and tradition so that we can stand up to the forces that seek to divide us whatever form they may take.
Education must lead to a deep sensitivity to social justice. It is education that has led to the empowerment of weaker sections of our society that is so very apparent in many parts of our country especially Karnataka. Nevertheless, the sad reality is, and it still remains, that there are so many of our countrymen and women who face discrimination, who live in poverty and deprivation. And now, the primary education has been made a fundamental right. It is for all of us to ensure that this right is asserted and imposed so that all of India’s children from 6 to 14 receive free education.
But education must also develop, what Nehru used to often speak about, is scientific temper. What is scientific temper? It is a spirit of ceaseless questioning, of relentless enquiries. Indeed we had ancient centres of learning, individual thinkers and philosophers in our country whose works led path breaking discoveries.
We also have great cultural, spiritual and intellectual traditions based on the wisdom, learning and experience gained over the millennia. So, true education combines respects for these traditions with a progressive, contemporary outlook that meets challenges of our times.
Swami jee’s life-mission is an embodiment of these principles. The institutions he had inspired and created seek not only to provide the young people with a conventional education but places equal emphasis on character building and moral values.  The students who emerge from these institutions will, I have no doubt, be well suited to meet the challenges in the adult life and contributing in nation building and a better society.
Dr Shivakumara Swami jee exemplifies hard work and self discipline. The perseveres in his mission, even at this age, is a remarkable lesson in itself. For Swami jee, I believe, his motto is ‘work is worship’. And each one of us will do well to imbibe the spirit and make it part of our own life.
Over the centuries, we in India have had the special blessing of being shown the right path by sages, reformers and teachers of different faith and persuasions. We are privileged to walk through the path that they have illuminated for us. Like them, Swami jee has shown us the path of selfless service of righteousness and universal brotherhood.
So let us continue to derive guidance and inspiration from Swami jee’s life, from his teachings and his works. Let me conclude by once again by congratulating Shree Shree Shivakumara Swami jee on this auspicious occasion and offer him my respectful pranaam. May pranaams also to all the swami jees present here who are following the footsteps of Swami jee and have dedicated themselves to the service of humanity; and also to the devotees I extend my very best wishes.. Thank you all.. Namaskaaram”.

Posted 19 hours ago by Press Conference-Sagar31News