By T.J.S. George
Here is the noblest summing up of civilisational values by an Indian: I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth... Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations into despair... The present convention is in itself a vindication of the wonderful doctrine presented in the Gita: 'Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him. All men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me'.
