The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the country has to ensure ‘social democracy’ along with ‘political democracy’ to bring the fruits of democratic functioning to those who have been left out of our country’s development story. He was addressing the National Seminar on Whither India, in Kozhikode, Kerala today. The Minister for Local Administration, Kerala, Shri K.T. Jaleel and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.The Vice President said that everyone must live up to the ideals not only of our ancient past but also to the ideas and the framework given to us by the Constitution makers. He further said that Gandhi ji had said that cleanliness is much more important than political freedom. He was probably referring to cleanliness in a metaphorical manner in addition to the literal manner of maintaining clean surroundings, he added.The Vice President said that focus is needed on many “blots” on our social fabric which Gandhi ji had talked about including untouchability, corruption, communalism, casteism, religious fanatism and mindless terrorism. He further said that one needs to honestly introspect and take necessary steps to strengthen democracy both ‘political’ and ‘social’. He further said that we must ‘walk the talk’ by effectively implementing the policies we enact. Inaction, apathy and lip sympathy will not take our country forward, he added.The Vice President said that public systems which are responsive to the emerging needs of the people must be put in place. Ideals and ideas must get translated into programmes of action, he added.