Essence of democracy is liberated ideas: President

President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said the essence of democracy is the liberation of ideas and "true liberation" can come only through creative minds which must be nurtured and supported.

Interacting with 10 innovation scholars, two writers and two artists who were part of the two week In-Residence programme, the President told them to remember in future when they are at the zenith of their creativity that "an old man once expressed his goodwill for your success". The scholars called on him Yesterday on the eve of the completion of their stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

"Creative minds are the real leaders and benefactors of society...The essence of democracy is the liberation of ideas and thoughts. True liberation can come only through creative minds and they must, therefore, be nurtured and supported," he said.

The innovators, writers and artists who were the part of two week long In-Residence Programme were Vikram Sampath, Gayatribala Panda, Rajesh Kargutkar, Haobam Sanaton Singh, Priyanka Mathikshara, Diptanshu Malviya, Mansukh Jagani, Rai Singh Dahiya, Kamruddin Saifi, T S Anand, Shantanu Pathak, Vikas Karade, Mohanlal and Sarthak Shukla.

Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said in a statement that all the participants in the In-Residence programme spoke emotionally about their experience. "They informed the President that the programme has transformed their lives. Each one of them would carry memories of their experience in Rashtrapati Bhavan forever.

"All of them said that they have gained motivation and inspiration as a result of the opportunity to live in Rashtrapati Bhavan," he said. Rajamony said they found it to be a great platform to incubate their ideas and meet experts from various fields. The statement said that responding to the innovation scholars, writers and artists, the President described them 'as creative minds' and 'doers'.