COIMBATORE: Corruption is the main cause for India lagging behind nations like China and Japan in the global race, said
Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit here on Tuesday.
“If we ask from the bottom of our hearts why other countries have gone ahead of us (and we stay behind), the main reason is corruption,” Purohit said at a function at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya at Periyanaickenpalayam here. He was speaking at the inauguration of the year-long celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s address in the parliament of religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893.
Purohit said corruption could be eliminated through honesty and honesty “comes when one leads a simple life.” A simple and satisfied person would not accept even crores of rupees given to him, said Purohit.
“An honest person can face many difficulties, but at the end, only an honest man would be the winner,” he said.
Nation building involved honesty, transparency, selfless service and total devotion to the nation, he added.
Purohit said Vivekananda’s address revealed his multi-faceted genius.
“Swami Vivekananda visualised that India must become dynamic. He was a bridge between modernity and tradition, science and religion, old and the young,” he said.
Vivekananda’s teachings had been a source of inspiration, said Purohit. “When the nation was under the British rule, he preached young people to maintain their dignity and be bold,” he said.
Earlier, two students, who had won in elocution competitions conducted as part of the celebrations, gave a speech in front of the audience – one in Tamil and the other in English.
On listening to both, Purohit commented, “Tamil is indeed sweeter than English.”
Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit
