Srimanta Sankaradeva's teachings relevant for all times: CM

Assam's medieval socio-cultural- religious reformer and litterateur Srimanta Sankaradeva's message of love, tolerance, humanity and brotherhood feeling among various communities are relevant for all times, CM Tarun Gogoi said on the 556th birth anniversary of the saint today.
"The great Vaishnavite saint enlightened humanity through his teachings. It is time to rekindle the ideology of the great saint to serve humanity and understand the core essence of his message that the best way to serve God is to serve humanity," Gogoi said addressing a congregation of devotees on the occasion at the Sri Srimanta Sankar Madhab Sewashram here.
Appealing all for creating a peaceful society, Gogoi said, "Everyone should work together to transform our society with no violence, injustice and oppression... And people living in peace and harmony."

He said people should inculcate values of brotherhood, friendship and respect for each other to create a peaceful society.
"We should always try to help the poor people and show love, respect and sympathy towards them. We should treat every human being equally, irrespective of caste, creed or sex. There should be unity among all tribes and communities," Gogoi said.
"We should love birds, animals, trees and the environment as a whole that sustains and nourishes us and that is one of the core essences of Srimanta Sankaradeva's teachings," the Chief Minister pointed out.
Stating that the 15th-16th century Assamese polymath also underscored the need to protect the environment and keep the surroundings clean, Gogoi said, "It was Srimanta Sankaradeva who preached the importance of cleanliness. Following the path shown by the great guru, we must contribute our might towards keeping our surroundings neat and clean, as cleanliness is next to godliness.