Gulbarga, Jan 07: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday said the country should adhere to a strategy of inclusive growth in all areas to ensure that benefits of economic growth percolate to all sections of the society, particularly scheduled caste and tribes.

"As India progresses, we must ensure that we adhere to a strategy of inclusive growth in all areas of national life, so that the benefits of our economic growth can improve the lives of all our citizens particularly the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes and the disadvantaged sections," she said. The President was speaking at a function here to dedicate a 'Buddha Vihar' to the nation.

"A life of dignity must be assured to all. The fight against poverty, illiteracy and disease must be fought and won," Patil said.

She noted that delivering social welfare and justice to the people would be a fitting tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who too followed the principal of Buddha.

Patil expressed hope that the Buddha Vihar, set up by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's Siddhartha Vihar Trust, would contribute to the growth of the region through its educational institutions.

Citing the early life of the Buddha and his quest for enlightenment, she said, "Buddha's message found resonance and it spread far and wide, attracting great amount of interest".

"There is a belief that Mahindra and Sanghamitra, the son and daughter of Emperor Ashoka went from Gulbarga region to Sri Lanka carrying the message of Buddha", she said.

Bureau Report