New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said that India has great admiration for spiritual leader Aga Khan whose tolerance is a contribution in countering sectarianism and fundamentalism.
“India has great admiration for Aga Khan and his noble mission of providing service to the needy and underprivileged in many parts of the world,” said Mukherjee here after he met the Aga Khan at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The meeting came a day after the 16th century Humayun’s Tomb, which was refurbished by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the city.
The president said: “The Aga Khan’s stress on tolerance and service to humanity is a valuable contribution in countering sectarianism and fundamentalism.”
The president expressed happiness over institutions under the Aga Khan Development Network working closely with ministries and central and state governments in implementing activities in the fields of health, education, rural development, culture and promoting people’s livelihood.
The Humayun’s Tomb complex, one of the biggest tourists draws in the Indian capital, is a world heritage site and has been restored to its old glory after six years of work.
The tomb’s restoration project was the largest and most ambitious heritage conservation undertaken in India — and the only one by a non-government body, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, along with other partners.