President Kovind participates in community reception at Santiago

President Ram Nath Kovind participated in a community reception at Santiago, the capital of Chile last night. The event was organised by Indian community and Friends of India.

Addressing Members of the Indian Diaspora and Friends of India, President said that as the world around us is increasingly falling prey to negative forces of terrorism, of violence, of greed and intolerance, the universal messages of peace and tolerance preached by Guru Nanak Dev ji and Mahatma Gandhi are increasingly relevant.

Also relevant are the examples of constitutional democracies based on the rule of law, equality and fundamental freedoms, represented by both India and Chile, he



said.

President said that the values that shape India and Chile are the values that uphold the supremacy of the people. He said nowhere can this be seen in all its beauty as in the democratic exercise of the power of the people through elections. India will shortly be undergoing the General Elections which will lead to the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha. Over 900 million electorates will cast their vote in what would be the largest democratic exercise on our planet.

Cultural programmes were presented by the artists from Indian and Chile on the occasion.  President is on a three day visit to Chile on a third leg of his three nation tour.