Soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance: President Pranab Mukherjee
"The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance," he said.
"Plurality of our society has come about through assimilation of ideas over centuries," he said.
In his strong message, Mukherjee said only a non-violent society can ensure the participation of all sections of the people in the democratic process.
"Power of non-violence has to be resurrected to build a compassionate and caring society," he said.
Mukherjee said education is the 'alchemy' that can take India to its next golden age.
"Our universities should not be a place for rote-memorizing but an assembly of inquisitive minds," he said.
"Creative thinking, innovation and scientific temper have to be promoted in our institutions of higher learning," he said.
He said the poor people of the country should also feel that they are the nation's narrative.
"For development to be real, the poorest of the land must feel that they are a part of the nation’s narrative," he said.
Mukherjee said his passion has been to serve the people of India.
"My temple has been the Parliament of India and my passion has been the service of the people of India," he said.
The outgoing President said he has received much more from the country than he has repaid to the nation.
"I have received much more from the country than I have given; for that, I will remain ever indebted to people of India," Mukherjee said.
Ram Nath Kovind is all set to take oath as the next President of the nation on Tuesday.
Kovind, who was an NDA candidate, swept the Presidential poll by a margin of 32% of electoral votes.
He was named as the newly elected President on Thursday.
Kovind secured 7,02,044 out of 10,69,358 valid votes polled, which is approximately 66%.
The President-designate, who comes from Uttar Pradesh, became the second Dalit President of India after K R Narayanan.
The Presidential poll turned out to be a battle between two Dalits, Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar. Kumar fought as a joint candidate of 17 opposition political parties.
Mukherjee was elected as the President in 2012.
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