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THE OPENING SPEECH.
69 A Comprehensive view of National Progress.
As Indians your political point of view, as also the political point of view of every other religious community in India, should in my opinion, be that of India as a whole. So long as the thousand and one different communities into which our country is split up bear this doctrine in mind and act towards one another in a true spirit of brotherhood, we need have no misgivings as to her future. It is when the purely social and religious questions invade politics that vast difficulties arise, difficulties which must inevitably retard the progress of the country. Within the religious and social sphere of each community there can be no real improvement which does not exercise a beneficial effect on the general progress of the country. We must therefore, wish every community all possible success in its endeavour to advance itself religiously, socially and educationally. At the same time, we must realise that if there is to be real progress in the country at large it must be all along the line, it must einbrace every community and I personally consider it the sacred duty of the more advanced communities not only to have earnest regard for their own progress, but also to extend a helping hand to less fortunate communities, which, from some remediable cause, are lagging in the path of human evolution
Conclusion, I wish this Conference all possible success in Sir Hukumchand, you have a President of whom you have every reason to feel proud and I have no doubt that his advice and guidance will be of inestimable value to you all. His example should be a stimulus to the younger members of your community, and I trust there are many who will endeavour to follow in his footsteps.
Gentlemen, I thank you once again for your address and for the cordial sentiments you have expressed, and I wish you all ever-increasing prosperity.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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