Thiruvnanthapuram, Friday 13 August 2010: President Pratibha Patil on Friday called for all round efforts to reach the benefits of the country’s economic growth to every segment of society.

Addressing a large gathering after dedicating the Parnasala of Karunakara Guru, the founder of Santhigiri Ashram, near here, and inaugurating the one-month long celebrations to mark the occasion, the President said a critical aspect of Karunakara Guru’s teachings was to address concerns of the less privileged and disadvantageous sections so as to build a society that is more equitable and sustainable.

“In the welfare of all lies the prosperity and progress of all. Our endeavour, therefore, should be that the benefits of economic growth of our country should reach every segment of society. No one should be left behind and everyone should have a life of dignity,” she said.

The tenets propounded by Karunakara Guru focused on meeting the basic needs of food and good health essential for human survival, which, coupled with awareness of human values, impart a purpose and meaning to life, she said. Similarly, the Guru’s view that the family was the basic unit of society, shaping and nurturing the individual carried great wisdom.

The Parnasala, a lotus shaped 91 feet high monument made of white marble, is a fitting tribute to Karunakara Guru and symbolises the message of universal peace and fraternity, she said.

The President emphasised on the need to empower women as they had great potential in bringing about change in society. Women need to be given access to the tools of empowerment such as education, health and skill-building. “By spreading education amongst them, not only is an individual educated, but rather the seeds of progress for the next generation are planted”, she said.

The President, congratulating the Santhigiri Ashram for its efforts to promote traditional systems of medicine, said the growing popularity of naturopathy, Ayurveda and other Indian system of medicines provided a good opportunity for their revival, besides addressing issues like proper standardisation and registration.

This was possible only through comprehensive research and development about plants and other ingredients used in Indian medical systems, she added.

Governor R S Gavai presided over the dedication ceremony. Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, Shashi Tharoor and A Sampath, Members of Parliament, and J Arundhathi, MLA, were present.

(NEWS AGENCY INPUTS)