The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Indian Philosophy, principles and teachings of great gurus like Lord Mahaveer would provide solutions to the most pressing problems of the present era. He was addressing a gathering at an event to present 21st Mahaveer Awards being organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, in Chennai today, to honour individuals and institutions who were undertaking activities of selfless service for the welfare of the society.Naidu said that we live in the times of great turmoil, where on one hand we are fighting violence in several forms, from terrorism to insurgency to civil wars. He added that unchecked exploitation of resources and unbalanced and poorly planned developmental activities are destroying the nature.The Vice President said that one has to either change the way one lives or prepare to face the inevitable consequences of our actions adding that our ancient great philosophy has solutions to the most complex issues of the modern era.The Vice President said that terrorism is a threat to mankind and peace is a prerequisite for progress.The Vice President said that it was the time we undertake an introspection of what makes us Indian.We take a re-look at our ancient values, identify the best of them, the ones most suited to our times and incorporate them in our lives, he added.
Shri Naidu said that India must reclaim the rightful position in the world, as a nucleus of human values and wisdom. Stressing the need for protection and conservation of environment, the Vice President said that we were mere trustees of whatever we had inherited in terms of social order and natural resources. It was our sacred duty to hand them over to our posterity in the best of conditions so that continuity of life is not interrupted, he added.The Vice President appreciated the winners and said that those are working silently, selflessly for the advancement of the society, reaffirm our faith in humanity. Their work ensures that the motto of ‘service before self’ that is enshrined in the Indian value tradition is preserved and protected, he said.Saying that the philosophy of Jainism holds many crucial lessons for contemporary world, Shri Naidu said that Bhagwan Mahaveer taught that the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation.The Vice President said that one must learn to respect the nature and handover it to the next generation without spoiling it.
Shri Naidu complimented the Rural Health Organisation, Imphal on for receiving the Award for Excellence in Community & Social Service and said that united efforts of government, civil society and Private sector were need to bring in difference in lives of people living in remote and hilly areas. He also stressed that a special attention must be paid on providing healthcare and education to those living in rural areas.The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri T.S. Krishnamurthy, the Managing Trustee of Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation, Shri Prasanchand Jain and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.The Vice President presented Mahaveer Awards to Dr. Shiranee Pereira for excellence in service on Non-violence, Shri P.C. Prakash for excellence in service in the field of Medicine and Shri Indramani Singh for excellence in the field of community and social.