Srinagar, Sep.27 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday condemned in the strongest of terms the making of the offensive anti-Islam video and its dissemination through social media.
In a statement issued in Srinagar on the video, Mukherjee said: "India can never condone any act which disparages religious sentiments or hurts religious feelings."
He added: "The Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with U.S. officials who share our concerns on the matter. Google India has in compliance with Indian law, blocked access to the offensive material."
On the same day, Mukherjee also took part in the 18th Convocation of the University of Kashmir.
Addressing the august gathering, Mukherjee described the event as a long awaited and proud moment for students who would be receiving their degrees.
Offering his felicitations and congratulations to the students, Mukherjee told them and others attending the event that each one of them had a role to play in building of a great nation like India.
"I am confident that the young people of India will build a strong and powerful nation, a nation that is politically mature and economically strong, a nation whose people enjoy both a high quality of life as well as justice, fundamental rights and equality," said the President.
"This India of tomorrow, achieved through inclusive growth, offers enormous opportunities for the youth of Kashmir if they only seize them. Do not lose any more time. The whole world is rapidly transforming itself. We in India should not be left behind," Mukherjee.
"The contributions of young Kashmiris are critical for India's advancement to progress. Let the dark days of violence and conflict be left behind. Let a new dawn emerge. It is the time to move ahead with faith in our collective future and confidence in the largest democracy in the world, where rule of law prevails, robust institutions function and the Constitution serves as the Supreme Law," he added.
The President further said that he was aware that there are grievances among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Many important issues need deft handling and speedy resolution. The Government of India and the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir are determined and duty bound to ensure that every Kashmiri lives with dignity having equal rights and equal opportunities," he said.
He added: "Let Jammu and Kashmir lead the way in the building of a new future for India. Let it set an example to the rest of India and the world by showing how the entire region can be transformed into a zone of peace, stability and prosperity."
"Let Jammu and Kashmir regain its historical role as a center of learning, a place frequented by saints and religious scholars, a land known for its diversity and harmony, a fulcrum of trade and commerce with our neighbours," the President said.
Mukherjee also revealed that the Centre, in its 12th Five Year Plan, has a well defined strategy to expand infrastructure with regional equity, focus on performance, better human resource management, reform of the curriculum, promotion of quality research and creation of an environment that will attract the best talent.
"This is the time to shift towards increasingly interactive and collaborative learning experiences. New technologies need to be adopted which have useful applications for teaching, learning and professional growth. This will bring a significant improvement in the quality of our teaching and research. Universities must promote creativity and innovation. Creation of a knowledge society requires that Universities encourage autonomous research," Mukherjee said.
The university has 13 faculties, 38 teaching departments and 15 research and extension centres, and offers about 150 academic programmes. It was established in 1948. (ANI)
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