Acceptance of pluralism core of our unity in diversity: President

Kolkata: Averring that acceptance and belief in pluralism underlines the inherent chemistry of India's unity amidst diversity, President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the mosaic of being multi-religious makes the nation an oasis of peaceful co-existence and communal harmony.

"India prides itself in is pluralistic ideas. In India several major religions have thrived due to its assimilative capacity that has come to define our civilisation over the centuries," Mukherjee said addressing the concluding ceremony of the bicentenary celebration of the Diocese of Calcutta here.

The president said every religion preaches the fundamental value of humanity. "Forebearance, respect and acceptance of different view form some of the core principles of every faith, belief and religion of the world."

Pointing out that in India people professing different faith have for long lived in harmony, he said: "It is an unique experience to have under one system, one administration, one constitution, 130 crore people, 100 languages used in every day practice, 1,600 dialects used in every day practice."

"The inherent chemistry of this unity amidst diversity is the acceptance and belief in pluralism.

"It is this mosaic of being multi religious, that makes our nation an oasis of peaceful co-existence and communal harmony."

Elaborating on the ethnological variety, the president said three major ethnic groups - Mongolites, Caucasians and Dravidians - have substantial presence in the country, with all of them living under one system; one flag; one constitution; one administration; and one jurisprudence.