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National integrity is of paramount concern: PM

NEW DELHI: Pointing out that national integrity is of paramount concern today, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday urged citizens to come together to defeat the divisive forces that had raised their heads across the country.

Speaking at the presentation of the 23rd Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration, Dr. Singh said there was a great need for all of us to come together to defeat such forces and help in the process of nation building.

“Our national integrity is of paramount concern. Unfortunately there are forces in the country today whose politics, ideology and worldview are narrow and divisive. This goes against our inclusive and pluralistic traditions bequeathed to us by the founding fathers of our republic,” he said.

Appreciating the work undertaken by the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, Indore, which has been conferred the award, the Prime Minister said: “Organisations like the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust are shining examples of what we can achieve through commitment and hard work. They inspire us to make efforts for the uplift of the weak and the underprivileged and to work for the unity and integrity of our nation.”

Referring to the award, he said: “The award is a tribute to the memory of Indira Gandhi and a token of appreciation for the work of the awardee.”

Dr. Singh said the event assumed special significance since the award for national integration was being given to a trust that was established by Mahatma Gandhi himself.

“It is only befitting that a national award for national integration has been instituted in Indiraji’s name because those who further the cause of national integration are truly following the ideals of our beloved Indiraji. The award is a tribute to the memory of Indiraji. It is also a token of our appreciation and respect for the work of the awardee person or institution,” the Prime Minister said.

Lauding its work in the areas of environment, peace, disaster management, women and child welfare and health care, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the trust embodied the principles that Mahatma Gandhi stood for.

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