August 12, 2010 was a red-letter day for Bharananganam.It was on that day that president Pratibha Patil visited the sacred tomb of St Alphonsa, that first woman saint from India..President Pratibha Patil has called for the inculcation of a broader vision where people look at the universe as one world and at all fellow beings as belonging to one human race."We must return to the essence contained in all religions," she said at Bharananganam in Kerala at the concluding function of the birth centenary celebrations of St Alphonsa, the first Indian to be canonised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
"Every religion seeks the same goal, emphasizing the importance of working for peace and for promoting a feeling of universal brotherhood. All religions extol people to adopt a compassionate and tolerant approach. Love and affection are the cardinal principles underlying all religions. There is no religion that promotes disharmony," Ms Patil said.She said India could also be described as a land of religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism germinated on its soil. Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastrianism came to India, adding to the diversity and richness of the country, she said."India is India, not because it merely tolerates, but it accepts diversity. The social, religious and cultural diversities of India are the pillars, alongwith democratic traditions, that hold our secular heritage together, protecting every section of society. In this way, India's unique position has evolved. The ethos of co-existence and secularism has taken deep roots here. Christianity came to India soon after its founding. Since then, the Christian community has grown and made its effective presence felt in India. It has been contributing to the nation-building process, participating in its various fields. Specifically, I would like to mention their work, in the past and at present, in the fields of education and healthcare," she said.
Ms Patil unveiled on the occasion the foundation stone of the Saint Alphonsa Hospice, a palliative care centre, and launched the Saint Alphonsa Foundation, a financial assistance scheme for poor patients suffering from heart and kidney diseases and cancer."These are a befitting tribute to her. I am confident that guided by her spirit, these institutions will work to remove the pain of the suffering," she said.The President recalled how St Alphonsa, who died in 1946, had lived a life of simplicity and had, in her short life span of 36 years, achieved great spiritual heights.
She said the greatest homage to the memory of St Alphonsa would be to emulate the ideals of love and compassion which she constantly adhered to."Saint Alphonsa had an ability to reach out to those in difficulties and to console them, speaking to them gently and affectionately. She did not exclude anyone from the circle of love. In her eyes, everyone was good and she prayed for everybody," she said.
Ms Patil said meditation and prayer were very essential for reflection. "Prayers are not an end, but a means by which we can search for the divinity that is within each one of us," she said.
"As Saint Alphonsa toiled in adverse circumstances, her solace was faith in prayers. The Rig Veda, our ancient scripture, clearly states that God befriends none but those who toil. Therefore, each one of us in whatever capacity we work, and whatever we are doing, must put in our best efforts and work hard. This is possible if we are disciplined in our lives. We must also understand the importance of human existence and try to enrich the human spirit," she said.The President regretted that, today, success was often measured in terms of material gains and in this race for success people forget human relationships."We, sometimes forget, that in little things like loving smiles, friendly conversations, in words of encouragement, in sharing our joys and sorrows, there is meaning. A meaningful life can also be one of living for others," she remarked.
"Today, a certain degree of selfishness has crept into our societies. Our visions have got limited. These attitudes are detrimental for a healthy social set-up," she added.
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