Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said secularism and tolerance towards others' views are a core part of Indian ethos. The country has a commitment to pluralism and inclusivity. Sporadic incidents cannot undermine that.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru.
Stressing on religious intolerance, he stated that people should take pride and practice one's religion. But that doesn't mean one has the right to "denigrate others' religious beliefs".
The VP also stressed the importance of women's education. He said barriers hindering the emancipation of women should be removed because there are several areas in which women are yet to realize their full potential. He noted that India's civilizational principles encourage equal participation of women in various fields.
Calling for women empowerment, he said women always prove themselves in every discipline when given the opportunity, reported ANI.
He also spoke of India's educational heritage and referred to women scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi. Applauding progressive rulers and reformers from Karnataka, he spoke of the Virashaiva movement. He also referred to Attimabbe and Sovaladevi who were great patrons of learning.
The VP also mentioned the importance of adopting a futuristic approach to education by developing various skills like AI and data analytics. He added that it is equally important to possess communication skills.
Stressing on active learning, he said that "Interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity are the way forward for the country.