SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KOTTAYAM

Kottayam, Kerala, 30th August 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to be in the city of Kottayam, well known in the past as an important trading centre and now as a seat of higher education. I understand the city is popularly known as the Akshara Nagari, that is, the City of Letters. It is, no coincidence, as the district of Kottayam has one of the highest literacy rates in the country. Kottayam is also known for its contribution to literature and, that is why, not surprisingly, it is home to some leading media publications that have a wide readership.

I am pleased to participate in the concluding ceremony of the Centenary Celebrations of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. It was in 1911 when the Vicariate Apostolic of Kottayam was formed through an Apostolic Letter by His Holiness Pope St. Pius X. I am happy that during the Centenary Year celebrations which began on July 15th last year, several social welfare and development programmes have been undertaken by the Archeparchy of Kottayam. Today, I am glad to note that three new initiatives are being launched as part of the Centenary Celebrations. One is a comprehensive health insurance programme which extends benefits to all families of the Archeparchy together with other families, irrespective of cast and creed. I understand that about 30,000 families are to be covered under this scheme. Housing assistance through Ente Snehaveedu is the second project. It aims to provide to those in need in each parish, with housing and maintenance assistance, through the mobilization of local resources. Education is an important aspect, as it provides knowledge and skills to people and especially to our youth, to be capable of earning a living as well as to have good value systems. Therefore, the Centenary Memorial Education Fund set-up by the Archdiocese is a welcome step. Financial assistance from this fund will be provided interest free. It is good to know that this Fund has been created out of donations given by members of this Diocese. These initiatives are a reflection of the social commitment of the Christian community in Kerala, which has been contributing to the progress and the development of the State and the nation in many areas.

All religions speak of the values of compassion and kindness. There is no religion that promotes disharmony. Indeed, in the Bible it is said, "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. " Nursing is one such noble profession which is full of the sprit of humanity, service and also full of compassion and gentleness towards the ailing and persons in agony. I must appreciate that Kerala is the State, and I understand, this very place Kottayam stands in the forefront, where girls mainly take up the profession, and are engaged in this service towards humanity. India is a land of many faiths and cultures. It is a land where some of the world's major religions originated and also where persons from all major faiths reside. There has been a tradition in India of having inter-faith discourses. India's unique composite identity is the outcome of its ability to absorb from and assimilate the many influences and thoughts that have come here over the millennia. The principle of secularism, enshrined in our Constitution, is based on respect for all religions. Not merely tolerance but respect for all religions is important. I think that humanity is the greatest religion as it combines the basic tenets of all religions. We have to work together with patriotic feelings and unity of purpose to keep India together and strong, by maintaining perfect communal harmony. All Indians of all faiths in different parts of the country have been working together collectively for the nation and this spirit must continue. There are many areas which require our constant focus and attention, the basic among them being food and shelter, education and health, to create a population that is productive and progressive.

India is an ancient land, but a young nation, not only in terms of the number of years it has been independent, but also in terms of demographics. Today, we can feel and see change everywhere around us. It is our youth that shall be at the vanguard of the further changes that shall come. Every generation looks to its youth with expectation, for it is on them that the future of society depends. Today, in a rapidly changing world, there can be many questions before us. Will our world be a safer and a better world? Will non-violence and compassion be the guiding principles? Will individual excellence be dedicated to only self achievement or to the welfare of humanity? In these times of change, shall success be measured in terms of material gains, and in this race for success, shall the importance of human relations be forgotten? These are important questions that will have to be answered. The answers to these questions lie in the way the youth will think and act. Therefore, a holistic approach towards their overall development is extremely necessary, to make them responsible human beings. That is why we have an obligation to prepare our youth in such a way, that they have the knowledge and the values to meet their future responsibilities and obligations. These attributes amongst our youth are necessary, as our nation faces challenges as it moves along the path of progress. We must provide the necessary environment in which their talents are nurtured, create facilities and generate opportunities for virtuous and productive activities.

In these times, there will be varied and various influences on the youth. In such a scenario, the task of channelising their energies for the welfare of humanity and for creating peace and harmony must assume a high priority. They should have a compass of values and ethics that will guide them. It will be compassion, and an understanding that the human race has a common destiny, that will inculcate a spirit of tolerance and co-existence and all religions have emphasized this important message.

History bears testimony to the fact that whenever harmony existed between peoples and nations, mankind made progress. On the other hand, in situations of disharmony and strife, there was a lack of progress. History contains many such lessons. We must learn from history. While we must not repeat mistakes of the past, we must carry forward the rich legacy of achievements and values of which we are the inheritors.

In conclusion, I would once again like to congratulate the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kottayam for completing its hundred years. Centenary celebrations are an occasion to be proud of achievements over the past 100 years and to plan ahead for much greater goals, for the welfare of mankind without any distinction of caste, creed and gender. I wish the people of Kottayam city and the district the very best. I am confident that they shall achieve much in the future.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!