Ex-diplomat: Tolerance key to creating peace, harmony

Amritsar, November 24

GNDU celebrated its 51st Foundation Day by hosting an online interaction with former diplomats Navdeep Singh Suri and Dr Jogishwer Singh. Both addressed the inaugural ceremony of the foundation day celebrations, speaking about the need for an inclusive and harmonious global community.

Navdeep Suri, who was the former ambassador to Egypt and UAE and an alumnus of GNDU, said: “The world is suffering with so many ailments such as discrimination, racism, gender inequality, which is only because of intolerance. So many centuries ago, Guru Nanak Dev, in the name of which this Guru Nanak Dev University has been founded, gave the message of universal brotherhood which says that all human beings are equal irrespective of their caste, creed and religion.”

While talking about recent events and the debate on the social media being misused for spreading intolerance, he said responsibility and ethics should be kept in mind while using social media. ‘We must learn to keep balance between freedom of religion and freedom of expression as leaders. Even countries such as UAE is becoming more tolerant and giving ample liberties to its citizens,” he added. He also mentioned the history of Amritsar, a city that witnessed multiple tragedies in the last century. “My grandfather Nanak Singh, who was a witness to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, in his acclaimed poetry, always spoke about the collective celebrations of Janamashtami by Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims,” he said.

This programme was streamed live on various social media platforms to engage a global alumni. The second academic lecture was delivered by eminent scholar, Dr. Jogishwar Singh, IAS (Retd.), Ex-Managing Director at Edmond de Rothschild, Geneva, Switzerland.

While speaking on subject of ‘Teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev and its relevance’, Jogisher Singh said that politics should be based on ethics. He said whatever is happening these days is giving a wrong impression of our country. He encouraged students to raise questions and ask for accountability. — TNS