Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM's speech at the presentation of Kabir Puraskar and National Communal Harmony Award

"I extend my hearty congratulations to Shri Tej Ram Prajapati and Shri Jamal Ahmed Ansari, the distinguished winners of the Kabir Puraskar for the year 2003 and Dr. S.N. Subba Rao, founder of the National Youth Project Trust, the well known organisation, which is the distinguished awardee for the National Communal Harmony Award.

The traditions of communal harmony and tolerance and respect for diversity have always been the redeeming features of our civilisation. The Kabir Puraskar and the National Communal Harmony Awards honour those individuals and organisations who not only follow these precious traditions, but are prepared to defend them even at the cost of their lives. The 'Kabir Puraskar', which has been recognised as a National Award since 1990, is aptly named. Nearly six hundred years ago, the saint Kabir blended the mystic aspects of the various religious traditions of our country, and provided to later generations a sense of what we would today call Unity in Diversity. Among his many luminous 'dohas', Kabir had urged each of us to find within ourselves the spark of goodness or genius to inspire everyone. He wrote:

������������������������������� 'Jaisay til mein tel hai, jyon chakmak mein aag,

������������������������������� Tera saayin tujh mein hai, tu jaag sakay to jaag.'

It is this spirit in our awardees today that we should salute, as an inspiration to all of us.

People who summon the will and courage to protect the life and property of others professing different faiths remain in the vanguard of our movement for secularism. Both Shri Tej Ram Prajapati and Shri Jamal Ahmed Ansari are living examples of practical action in defence of communal harmony and coexistence and brotherhood. During the Gujarat riots, Shri Prajapati prevented a communally charged mob from attacking people of a minority community. Shri Jamal Ahmed Ansari displayed extraordinary courage in saving a temple from destruction from some misguided elements in Varanasi. Both these distinguished personalities risked their lives and have stood out as practitioners and defenders of communal harmony and co-existence, which is the defining feature of our nation.

As we know, youth is the building block of our nation. Their attitude and outlook to life and society plays a determining role in shaping our destiny and our future. The National Youth Project Trust established in 1970 by Dr. S.N. Subba Rao in the dacoit-infested areas of Madhya Pradesh trains the youth to respect our diversity and secular ethos. The youth camps organised by the Trust in several States of our country have attracted a large number of young people from diverse backgrounds. By bringing them closer together, such camps enable our youth to understand our common social and economic problems and cherish our shared heritage and values. Such constructive activities are a bright spot in our troubled times. Mahatma Gandhi had said that the bonds existing among Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and all other religious groupings are stronger than that of blood. Through its activities, the National Youth Project Trust is harnessing the power of our youth and reaffirming that precious bond. One of its slogans 'Kashmir Se Kanya Kumari, Bharat Mata Ek Hamari' recaptures the values of emotional integration and reassures that youth of our country are in the forefront of struggle for national unity and cohesion.

Communal harmony is the sine qua non of a pluralistic society such as ours. Guarding and strengthening this core ideal, upon which our polity is based, requires ceaseless vigilance. Whenever attempts are made to weaken the secular fabric of India, it is the efforts of people like Shri Tej Ram Prajapati and Shri Jamal Ahmed Ansari, and the activities of the people like Dr. Subba Rao, which generate hope and confidence among all of us. Therefore, it is of utmost significance that we must encourage them and replicate their activities in the whole country. I can only say that as a nation, we are much better off for their valiant efforts. With these words, I once again congratulate the distinguished winners of these awards today. I wish all of you every success in your noble endeavour to safeguard our nation."

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