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THE IDEA OF UNITY
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Removal of poverty means addressing several related elements such as removal of illiteracy and providing good governance. It it is vital to ensure that funds allotted for the poor and the earnings by the poor are not frittered away through corruption or other social evils. This is where the making of an enlightened citizen comes in. It acquires a moral, ethical and spiritual dimension. Therefore, another component for prosperity is religious and spiritual partnership. We have considered how this partnership can be developed.
NATION'S PROSPERITY Religions are like exquisite gardens, places full of surpassing beauty and tranquillity, like sacred groves filled with beautiful birds and their melodious songs. Religions are also like islands, veritable oases for the soul and the spirit. If we can connect all these islands with love and compassion, in a 'garland project', we will have a peaceful, happy and prosperous India in front of us. Universal truths embodied in each religion are very similar and they will help to form a bridge, thus reinforcing basic unity. Another fact of today is that the intellectual gap between the opinion-maker class and the masses is rather big. This gap is best removed by increasing the knowledge base of every citizen in various vital aspects of their lives. As the number of enlightened citizens increases, the ability to cope with and overcome problems also increases. To achieve this, in addition to concentrating on education of the youth, there is also a need for a continual education of the adult population and senior citizens on the values of life and about the basic spiritual unity of all religions. In addition these values have to be reinforced in every citizen through specific projects, which can bring people together, irrespective of their social levels or religious beliefs.
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