New Delhi, (thestates.news)| Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rebuffed foreign criticism of India over the recently-enacted Citizenship Act and asserted that there was no scope for outside interference in India’s internal matters.
Expressing concern over the trend of foreign bodies interfering in matters that are completely within the purview of the Indian Parliament and the Indian Government, Mr Naidu said such efforts were totally uncalled for and unwarranted and expressed hope that they would refrain from making such statements in future.
He was speaking after releasing the book ‘TRG-An Enigma’ in the national capital here.
Rebuffing any such attempts, Mr Naidu firmly said “As a mature Republic and democratic polity, India is capable of addressing the concerns of its citizens and needs no advice or guidance in such matters from others.”
The Vice-President complimented the people for India’s successful 70-year long journey as a republic and said, “We as a nation will always be committed to Justice, Liberty and Equality for all of our citizens.”
Asserting that the country’s polity and democracy provided enough space for expressing differences and dissent whenever warranted, he said whenever basic and fundamental rights of citizens came under threat, citizens rose in unison and defended them, as was seen against Emergency. “As a result, we have emerged as the most vibrant democracy in the world,” he added.
Lauding Tilak Raj Gupta’s distinguished contribution to education in India for over five long decades, the Vice- President said his humane management approach, along with his love and affection for students, staff and parents made him an outstanding educator.
Emphasising that educators of the 21st century cannot merely be content with imparting knowledge, Mr Naidu said they must serve as true role models to children. “Educators must be capable of amalgamating new technology with ancient traditions and merging new knowledge with age-old cultural values,” he said.
The Vice-President said he had always looked upon education as a mission, something that has to be undertaken with the purest of intentions and not profit motive. He advised the best minds in each field, each discipline to turn to teaching and asked practitioners in various fields to find some time to pass on their practical experience to students.
Observing that ‘New India’ needed vibrant young thinkers who are willing to experiment and explore the various possibilities around them, he called upon the youth of the nation to become solution-makers.
He also stressed that education was meant not just to secure employment but also for enhancement of knowledge, empowerment, and enlightenment. “Education is meaningful only if it can bring out the best in every person and make them more compassionate human beings. The need of the hour is to impart value-based education,” he said.
Referring to India’s cherished ideal of ‘Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava’, the Vice-President said secularism is one of the founding principles of the nation and is a value that is ingrained in every Indian. The Vice President also said that India is one of the most vibrant, diverse and tolerant nations in the world.
Congratulating the winners of the Padma Awards that were announced recently, the Vice President also appreciated the government for recognising these unrecognised voice.
Tilak Raj Gupta, Ms Pushpa Mahajan, Dr Harsh Mahajan, and others were present on the occasion. (UNI)
Outside interference in India’s internal matters unwarranted: Venkaiah
