Gurgaon: The society needs non-government organisations (NGOs) to serve people in areas where a gap still remains between demand and availability, President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Sunday.
"Though the government is doing a lot but still gap remains between the demand and availability and the NGOs should come forward to bridge that gap," he said.
The President was addressing a gathering after inaugurating an old-age home and a school building of an NGO, Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), in Wazirpur village, Sector 92 Gurgaon.
Mukherjee also laid the foundation stone of a prayer hall in the premises of the NGO.
Speaking at the occasion, the President said that the core of our Constitution is 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina, Sarve Santu Niramaya' (everybody should be blessed and happy).
He said that the objective of all the social activity should be 'Bahujan Hitay, Bahujan Sukhay' (welfare of all) and it should not be for an individual but for whole of the humanity.
The President said that the Hindu religion has emphasised that service to humanity is equal to service to God.
Mukherjee said that BSS is launching a series of celebrations beginning with this ceremony to mark its centenary year in 2017.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) was founded by Acharya Sreemat Swami Pranava Nandaji Maharaj. Nandaji was born in 1896 at Bajitpur in present-day Bangladesh.
The President said, "BSS today has over 100 branches and 550 sub-units or 'milan mandirs'. It has 23 branches outside the country, in the US, UK, Canada and others, that propagate Vedic philosophy and the rich cultural heritage of our country."
"BSS is engaged in a host of social welfare activities all over the country. It is contributing towards development of the people at large and in particular the financially-weak and neglected sections," Mukherjee said.
Though these aspects form government's topmost public welfare agenda, cooperation in this direction can be provided from non-governmental agencies, he said.
Mukherjee said that BSS has also played diligent role in rescue and relief operations during natural calamities including devastating floods in Uttarakhand last year and in Jammu and Kashmir recently.
Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and General Secretary of BSS Swami Bishwatmanand ji Maharaj also addressed the meet.
