Tolerance is main quality of Hindu religion: Guj governor

Gujarat Governor O P Kohli today said tolerance is the main quality of Hindu religion.

Speaking at an event organised by the Ramakrishna Mission in Rajkot, Kohli said that people of every religion should work together for attaining global peace and inter-faith harmony.

On the occasion, he recalled Swami Vivekananda's efforts in introducing the Indian culture to Westerners.

"Tolerance is the main quality of Hindu religion. Vivekanandaji had understood the importance of not only Hindu religion but of all religions and introduced the Indian culture to Western countries 125 year ago," the governor said after inaugurating a day-long seminar of the Mission on the theme of "Inter-faith harmony for a global civilisation".

He was referring to the historic speech made by Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago on September 11, 1893.

"Swami Vivekananda dreamt of new India and understood the strength of youths to fulfill his dream. People from all religions should make effort to spread the message of inter-faith harmony for global peace," the governor said.

The seminar was part of the Mission's efforts to spread "inter-faith harmony" and to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's speech.

Leaders representing various faiths expressed their views on the occasion.

The Ramakrishna Mission, a socio-religious organisation, was founded by Swami Vivekananda on May 1, 1897.