Fault lines in society threaten unity: Hamid Ansari

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vice-President Hamid Ansari today said the fault lines in society based on religion, caste and language seem to have been deepened with the potential to threaten the unity of the country and retard progress.

"In recent times, the fault lines in our society based on religion, caste, language, region, ethnicity and even economic status seem to be deepened, creating tensions that have the potential to threaten our unity and retard our progress", he said.

Speaking after presenting the first Sree Narayana Guru Global Secular and Peace Award 2013 to Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, Ansari said in this context that the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru attains greater importance and show a path to follow to overcome these myriad challenges and build a peaceful, developed and harmonious society.

Though much has been done to achieve social justice, economic development and political empowerment, more remains to be done to make India a modern, progressive and harmonious society, he said.

The Award has been instituted by Sree Narayana Dhyarma Samithi, formed to propogate the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru, the visionary and architect of modern Kerala. His famous message is 'one caste, one religion, one God for mankind'.

Speaking after accepting the award, Tharoor said efforts have to be made to take the message and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru globally.

State Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Tharoor was the apt person to receive the award.

He lauded Tharoor's work as former United Nations Under Secretary General to maintain peace in many parts of the world.

Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar, State Minister for Health V Sivakumar and K Muraleedharan, MLA, were among those present on the occasion.