President pooh-poohs violence, bats for tolerance

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday pooh - poohed all forms of violence and batted for pluralism and tolerance.

Addressing the nation on the eve of demitting office as the 13th President of India, President Mukherjee said the soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance.

"We must free our public discourse from all forms of violence, physical as well as verbal. The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. We derive our strength from tolerance," he said.

The outgoing President said that non-violent society ensures participation of all section of people.

"Only a non-violent society can ensure the participation of all sections of the people, especially the marginalized and the dispossessed in the democratic process. Power of non-violence has to be resurrected to build a compassionate and caring society."

He also exhorted the people to protect the environment and termed it essential for the survival of mankind.

"Protection of the environment is essential for our survival. Nature has been kind to us in its bounty. But, when greed exceeds need, nature lets loose its fury," President Mukherjee said.

Earlier on Saturday, President Mukherjee attended a farewell dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister hosted the ceremony at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, where president-elect Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, senior ministers and Opposition leaders were also present.

The president, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was also given a farewell by the chiefs of the armed forces.

President-elect Ram Nath Kovind will take oath as the 14th President of India on Tuesday (July 25).