Haryana Guv for massive campaign against fanatics

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) Haryana Governor A R Kidwai today stressed the need for launching a massive campaign against the religious fanatics so that the secular and democratic values were reinforced in the country.

Inaugurating a seminar on ''Preservation of Composite Culture of India,'' he said the global situation is aggravating the problem further.

Dr Kidwai also emphasised the need for spreading the awareness about the country's rich culture and heritage across the world.

In the present fast moving world it was necessary to create consciousness about India's cultural ethos among the non-resident Indians, he added.

The Governor also stressed the need for spreading message of non-violence in the world.

''The weapon of non-violence is far more stronger than the strength of power and all countries of the world will have to adopt non-violence to save mankind from extinction.

''Our country has a common and composite culture, which always spreads the message of co-existence and co-ordination. Preservation of composite culture for centuries has worked as a strong weapon against the communal forces,'' he added.

The seminar was organised by a Urdu language web portal, Urdutehzeeb.com, in association with the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).

Dr Kidwai lauded the role of Urdutehzeeb.com and the IICC for working as a platform for secular values and modern outlook.

''There is a need to build up a massive campaign against the role of the fanatics and to reinforce secular and democratic values. The global situation is aggravating the problem further.

Director of Urdutehzeeb.com Ajit Singh Bhambra said the collaborative effort by Urdutehzeeb and the IICC would certainly redefine the preconceived notions about the Indian culture ''that is secular and tolerant towards all the communities and believes in the philosophy of unity in diversity.'' The seminar was attended by former Prime Minister I K Gujral, former AMU vice-chancellor Prof M N Farooqi, BBC London, Urdu Service head Yawar Abbas, Jamia Milia Islamia vice-chancellor Prof Mushirul Hasan, writer and Bohra social activist Dr Asgar Ali Engineer, renowned writer and lyricist Gulzar, famous Urdu poet from Pakistan Ahmed Faraz, National Commission for Minorities chairman Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, European Union Parliament member Baroness Emma Nicholson besides others.

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