Universities should curb erosion of values in society: Mukherjee

Taking note of the rise in crimes against women, President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday called on universities to take the lead in starting a sustained programme for meeting the contemporary moral challenges.

"The recent rise in crimes against women and children is a cause for deep concern. It not only calls for effective measures for their safety and security, but also requires us to urgently introspect and find ways to arrest the erosion of values in our society," Mukherjee said.

He was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University here.

The president called on universities to take the lead in starting a programme for meeting the contemporary moral challenges and ensuring that "our civilisational values are inculcated fully in the young minds".

He listed "love for motherland, performance of duty, compassion for all, tolerance for pluralism, respect for women and elderly, truth and honesty in life, discipline and self-restraint in conduct, and responsibility in action" as some of the values that need to be promoted among youngsters.

Acknowledging the importance of Hindi, Mukherjee said the language should be encouraged. "Hindi has always played an important role in the national integration. It is symbol of India's social and cultural unity. We should encourage Hindi and other regional languages," he said.

"Language has an important role between the government and people. Success of social welfare and development programme depends on language," he added.

A newsletter called Atal Samvad was released on the occasion and its first copy was presented to the president.