The message of social harmony, simplicity and tolerance given by Saint Ravidas still holds relevance and a perfect society can be constructed if the path followed by the great saint is followed, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat while speaking at a seminar organised on the eve of Saint Ravi Das Jayanti at New Jatav Basti in Rishikesh on Sunday.
He said that the Jayanti of the great saint is celebrated by not only by the members of dalit community but also all sections of the society. Exhorting the people to take inspiration from life and works of Saint Ravidas, Rawat said that people like should be followed by all. He said that despite being born in a Dalit family, Ravidas exulted himself on pinnacle of the Guru Bhakti. Rawat said that Ravidas was one such saint who was worshiped like god during his lifetime.
The saint played an important role in the social reforms and showed path to many. The CM said that the social ills were rampant during his time and in that time he gave a message of duty to one's work and linked it with greatness. "Ravidas was of the view that a person who discriminates among people brings disrepute to god itself and the person who truly believes in god never discriminates,’’ he said. He said every person however small he may be can achieve greatness by his good deeds. He said the Cabinet has decided there would be a holiday on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti. The programme was attended by Swami Maghani Ram Shastri, Purnanad Maharaj, Ramanuj Swami and a large number of people.