Former president Pranab Mukherjee has said that only economic development is not enough to mark the progress of the country, suggesting that besides the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), there should be gross domestic happiness present too.
"Today, to mark the advancement of society, progress of the country, not merely the economic development, beside Gross Domestic Product, there should be Gross Domestic Happiness. A happy society is to be created," Mukherjee said.
The former president also threw some light on the principles of Swami Vivekanand and said, "In 1893, Vivekanand propagated the basic philosophy of Hinduism at Chicago Parliament of religion. He emphasized on the service of humanity. Service of man is to serve God. This is accepted by all civilisations of the world."
He further said, "Simultaneously, he propounded tolerance, acceptance, celebration of diversity is essential for cultural restoration of all countries which are overwhelmingly influenced by western culture. Dominance of one culture can't be objective of human progress".
On Saturday, Mukherjee had received the Chandrasekarendra Saraswati National Eminence Award for public leadership at the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Festival.
The event was hosted by the South Indian Education Society (SIES).
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