Her Excellency, The high commissioner of India, Mrs Ruch Ghanashyam
Keynote Speaker, Dr KC Dhavaraj Mr Ishwar Ramlutchman
Patron of the Divine Life Society & President of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation
The Consul General of India, Mr Raghunathan
Respected Religious Leaders
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
I greet you in the name of peace and tolerance and bring you well-wishes from the provincial government for the success of today’s function. We are meeting at a difficult time.
Over the past week xenophobic tensions pervaded Durban with reports of violent attacks on foreigners. Our Premier, the honourable Mr E.S. Mchunu has condemned these attacks and he has made it clear that the hatred of fellow human beings has no place in our province.
The Premier in his many addresses to the public, has reminded us that South Africa became a democracy through a negotiated settlement and that we would not have gained our freedom without the assistance and support of other countries. In this regard, I want to sincerely thank Mr Ishwar Ramlutchman and the Sivananda World Peace & Community Development Foundation for the sterling work they are doing in promoting peace.
The Sivananda Peace Pillars heritage monuments that you have erected in South Africa will stand as a source of inspiration for future generations. What is inspiring about your work is that these are living monuments as they are tied up with various community drives including youth development and skills training.
As MEC for Agriculture, I am particularly impressed by your agricultural programs in rural communities and scholarship programs for the children. Peace is also about ensuring that our children do not go hungry to bed and that there is food security for the poor.
The provincial government started a program of One Home, One Garden and my department is extending this to schools with the aim of having One Classroom, One Garden. The aim is to teach our children an appreciation of nature and healthy eating. As Swami Sivananda once said, “If the body is strong and healthy, the mind becomes healthy and strong. I would also like to commend Mr Ramlutchman for the work he is doing in building social cohesion. Our province needs this now more than ever.
He embraces all cultures and during important provincial events he can be seen dressed in his traditional Zulu regalia.
I urge you to continue with your good work in the spirit of the Constitution of our Country which says that South Africa belongs to all who live in it and that we are united in our diversity. I attended the 2nd Sivananda Lecture last year and I feel privileged to be here today to learn more about Swami Sivananda and the Divine Life Society. There are lessons for all of us because your work is about serving humanity.
The provincial government is grateful to the society for the more than 300 projects undertaken that include the buildings of schools, hospitals, clinics, crèches, old age homes, colleges, sewing centers, feeding schemes, gardening projects as well as peace and skills training centers.
Many of these are in rural areas where they are most needed. I would like to conclude with the words of Swami Sivananda who said: “Be tolerant, behold the unity of all faiths, cults, creeds and religions. Respect the views, opinions and sentiments of all.”
Thank you.
