CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigueswhile inaugurating a seminar on  “Mystical Dimensions of Religions in India – Peace through Sufism” emphasized the need for combining religious ethos and the cultural values of our tradition with development strategies for empowering our people and helping them to meet their daily necessities of life. 

General Rodrigues said that we have an ancient history and glorious past, enriched with the teachings of great saints & sages, who professed the unity of mankind and focused our attention on the fundamental issues of life.   They also urged that the goal of the realization of God were closely linked with our social life and the concept of serving our needy brethren, to establish equality, peace and harmony in our Society.  Our Indian Constitution, broadly based on these philosophies, has given us fundamental rights and fundamental duties.  He said that we are always conscious of our fundamental rights but pay little attention to our fundamental duties to our nation, society and our people at large.    

He said that immediately after Independence, there were many challenges before our Nation and it was because of the commitment and sincerity of our people that India emerged as a homogenous nation, with a ‘unity in diversity’ culture.  After 60 years of Independence, our Country has a distinctive position in the comity of nations and huge opportunities to move forward on the path of progress  and prosperity. We all must come forward to play a participative role in the developmental process for improving the quality of life and building of a prosperous future.  The Sufi foundation of India  must take the lead in this gigantic task of the reconstruction of the material, cultural and spiritual life of our people.

Dr. A.A. Siddiqui, Chairman of the Sufi Foundation of India in his welcome address highlighted the goals, activities and achievements of the foundation.  Prof. Akhtar-ul-Wasey in his keynote address on the occasion stressed the need for creating an ambience of goodwill and harmony in our social system. He said that Sufi saints   pursued their goals based on the truth of the life and attainment of divine, love and compassion for the poor and needy.

Various eminent educationists & dignitaries from different faiths and religions participated in this Seminar.