The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Youth should carry forward the dream of Rajiv Gandhi”

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Friday, Aug 21, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Youth should carry forward the dream of Rajiv Gandhi”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Salman Khursheed, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Minority Affairs, on Thursday called upon the youth to reaffirm their faith that secularism would not be allowed to die, however berated it might be.

Pointing out that the concept of secularism was being abused in certain quarters, Mr. Khursheed, who inaugurated a seminar at the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development at Sriperumbudur, said those who had given identity to the country had nourished and enriched the idea. In the Indian context, secularism did not mean just tolerance of other religions but empathy and deep understanding.

The ethos of the country was liberal and accommodative, which were reflected in the Constitution, he said.

Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, the Union Minister called Sriperumbudur [where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991] a place of pilgrimage. Rajiv Gandhi had rekindled the hopes of a new generation.

It was for the youth to carry forward his dream.

C.R. Kesavan, vice-president of the RGNIYD, recalled that it was during Rajiv Gandhi’s prime ministership, that voting age was lowered from 21 years to 18.

Mr. Khursheed, who earlier visited the Rajiv Gandhi memorial near the Institute premises, administered an oath on the occasion. Cultural programmes were organised.

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