No progress if talent is not respected: Prez

Stressing the need for creativity and innovations in the country, President Pranab Mukherjee today said no society can progress if it cannot respect talent.
Talking to participants of the Rashtrapati Bhavan's 'In-residence' programme, including writers, artists and innovators from different parts of the country, he termed them as "special guests" who would continue to be special because of their talent.
"All of them are creative minds of a resurgent India and they will add many more glorious chapters to our ancient civilisation.
"If a society cannot respect talent, it cannot be described as a progressive society. Without innovations and creativity, no society can advance," Mukherjee said.

He said the programme is among the initiatives taken to open up Rashtrapati Bhavan to the public.
Earlier speaking at the function, Omita Paul, Secretary of the President, said by encouraging bright minds "we can usher innovations which go beyond economic gains and cover the aspect of social good."

At the function, the participants shared the experience of their stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the President and said they were inspired to take their creative initiatives to a higher level.
When they return to their states, they would serve as ambassadors of the President and Rashtrapati Bhavan and encourage others to innovate to find solutions to problems of the people in their day to day lives.

The writers staying at Rashtrapati Bhavan under the
'In-Residence' programme include Binod Ghosal from West Bengal, Jwishri Boro from Assam and Dhwanil Ravindrabhai Parekh from Gujarat. All three are winners of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar.
The programme for innovation scholars, writers and artists was launched by the President of India on December 11, 2013 with a view to encourage senior innovation scholars, writers and artists as well as young and upcoming talent by facilitating them stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The duration of stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan under this scheme is one month. However, their stay can be extend for one more month by a Committee, in charge of the programme.

In previous two years, four writers, five artists and 15 innovations scholars stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan in different batches.