GUWAHATI, Oct 4 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the teachings of the great saint Srimanta Sankaradeva are still relevant. The great saint, who was also a great social reformer, preached messages of love, tolerance, humanity and brotherhood among various communities. These are relevant for all times, said the Chief Minister, an official press release received here stated.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing a congregation of devotees at the Sri Srimanta Sankar-Madhab Sewashram on the occasion of the 556th birth anniversary of Srimanta Sankaradeva at Kalapahar in the city yesterday.
Referring to the teachings of the great saint, Chief Minister Gogoi said, �The great Vaishnavite saint enlightened humanity through his teachings. It is time to rekindle the ideology of the great saint to serve humanity and understand the core essence of his message that the best way to serve God is to serve humanity.�
Appealing to one and all for creating a peaceful society, he said, �Everyone should work together to transform our society, where there would be no violence, injustice and oppression and people can live in peace and harmony.�
�We should always try to help poor people and show love, respect and sympathy towards them. We should treat every human being equally, irrespective of caste, creed or sex. There should be unity among all tribes and communities,� he said.
The Chief Minister said everyone should love birds and animals and the environment that are so vital for our own existence. �We should love birds, animals, trees and the environment as a whole, that sustains and nourishes us and that is one of the core essences of Srimanta Sankaradeva�s teachings.�
He said that the great saint also underscored the need to protect the environment and keep the surroundings clean.
Lauding the philanthropic and social activities of the Sri Srimanta Sankar-Madhab Sewashram and its role in propagating the message of the great saint, Gogoi announced Rs 50 lakh towards its infrastructure development and also assured more funds for the construction of the 1,500-capacity sewashram bhawan.
On the occasion, Gogoi also announced a special education scheme for the visually impaired and physically challenged children and a monthly grant to the visually impaired, the press release said.
It needs mention here that the birth anniversary of the great saint was celebrated in the Sattra institutions and the naamghars all over the State in a befitting manner.
