Washington: India is taking steps to address the challenges posed by climate change and all countries, including the US, must do their part to save the world, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said.
Chouhan, who is on nearly a week-long visit to the US, reminded integral humanism philosophy of the BJP’s ideologue and its relevance in contemporary world at an event organised by Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), an American think-tank, in association with the Embassy of India.
“All nations including the US would have to pledge (to secure and protect mother earth), or else this planet would not be livable for anyone,” Chouhan said in his keynote address to the note inaugural Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Dialogue.
The dialouge “Integral Humanism: Indian Thought for the 21st Century Society, Economy and Politics” was held yesterday at the historic Kennedy Caucus room of the Senate Russell building here.
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya said that the nature be treated with respect and dignity, Chouhan said.
“Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya has said that not to exploit the nature but to make the best use of the nature,” he said at the event attended by lawmakers, Congressional aides and Indian-American community members.
Referring to the decisions taken by the international community at Paris on climate change, Chouhan said the whole world is worried about the destructive impact of global warming on mankind.
In this materialistic society, there is a mad race to exploit the nature.
“This poses a serious question if we would leave behind a secure earth for our future generations,” he said.
India, he said, is aware of the dangers and is taking steps to address this.
“Are not we going to leave a secure future for future generation, just for our short-term benefits, is the most important question today,” he said.
Asserting that the philosophy of integral humanism is most relevant in the 21st century, Chouhan said inclusive growth is possible only when everyone is treated equal.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to implement this philosophy, he said.
In his opening remarks, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said the philosophy of integral humanism of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya has three distinct idea dignity, freedom and unity.
In their remarks Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pete Olson underscored the importance of integral humanism in the development of a country.
Arvind Panagariya, former Vice Chair of NITI Aayog along with Pravin Krishna from John Hopkins University and many others participated in a panel discussion on the occasion.
Khanderao Kand from FIDDS said the inaugural dialogue focused on key political and economic issues facing the world.
PTI