Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, has said that the India is emerging as a global power and now the onus lies on the scholars and intellectuals to contribute their bit as well so that the vision of our country gets the requisite intellectual push and thrust.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking on the conclusion of five-day seminar in connection with millennium celebrations of Acharya Abhinav Gupta, Kashmiri Scholar in which many scholars participated.Dr. Singh said the contribution of this world renowned scholar is immense in field of aesthetics and other related subjects and we should ensure that it is preserved, propagated, so that the younger generation derives inspiration from it. He said that our state has produced scholars and saints of repute whose teachings are still being taught and researched in various countries globally.
Emphasizing that Indian civilization is based on the similar principle of bondage and amity as people belonging to different faiths co-exist peacefully in India, he said that the concept of tolerance has been taught by us to the world as people from different regions of the world have come to live here without feeling any sense of insecurity He said secularism is the core philosophy of India and followers of every religion have freedom to practice their religion and culture.The Deputy Chief Minister said people of the State believe in tolerance and are peace loving. He said some stray untoward incidents are handiwork of mischievous elements, who want to vitiate peaceful atmosphere here. He emphasized the scholars present in the seminar to take with them message of peace from here.
On the occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo lauded the contribution of Acharya Abhinavgupta contribution and said that it is immense in every field and the need of the hour is to ensure its propagation, so that it becomes known to all especially the younger generation and budding researchers and scholars.Highlighting the contribution of Kashmir, the Advisor said Kashmir is land of Sufis, Reshis and Munis, who have preached mutual co-existence, communal harmony, tolerance, peace and brotherhood, adding that people of the State, irrespective of their religion, are wedded to these philosophies.MLC, Surinder Ambardar also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the contribution of this scholar.The scholars who participated in the seminar included Dr Kailash, Dr SM Mishra, Dr S S Toshkhani , Dr HM Mishra, Dr KN Sharma, MR George, Dr Kartar Chand and Dr BN Koul.Later the Dy CM and Advisor gave certificates and Momentos to the participating scholars.