Silchar, May 24: India is a very peaceful country and there is no "intolerance" here, said Aparokshanandaji Maharaj, 63, secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, Republic of Fiji, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean.

On the sidelines of a two-day seminar on "Value education among the youths and students" at Silchar Ramakrishna Mission here today, the monk said intolerance prevails in almost all countries in the world.

"But, India is still a very peaceful nation. The way people belonging to different languages, religions, castes and creeds are living together maintaining tranquillity and brotherhood is the biggest example of tolerance that prevails in this country," he added.

Told about a few recent incidents that sparked the "intolerance" debate, the monk said "a few incidents" cannot help judge a country. "India is a country of 1.21 billion people and it is the second-most populous nation in the world. When such a vast populace is residing together, there can be small instances, but it is not appropriate to call a country 'intolerant' taking examples of a few isolated cases."

"There are a host of positive stories in our country and we should highlight the positive side instead of talking about a few negative incidents," the monk said.

Aparokshanandaji underscored the importance of value education in schools and urged parents to impart value education to their children. He urged the students to lay more emphasis on moral values instead of studying for the sake of certificates only.

There are three health centres, Swami Vivekananda College, a high school and a meditation institute in Fiji under Ramakrishna Mission.

Asked about the impression of people in foreign countries, including Fiji, have about India, the monk said there had always been a tendency among most of the foreign countries to undermine India's achievements. "But I must say that they (foreigners) are now bound to praise our achievements. India's Mars mission has received praise from all countries across the globe. It is a matter of pride that our country accomplished such a complex mission," he said.

The Fiji branch of the Ramakrishna Mission, set up in 1937, was given Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by President Pranab Mukherjee in 2014 for community services and philanthropic activities and enhancing India's prestige abroad. It participates in relief and rehabilitation efforts during floods and natural calamities in Fiji.

Swami Vedasaranandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong, spoke on value education, while Swami Tattwasarananda Maharaj, principal, BEd college, Ramakrishna Saradapitha, Belur Math dwelt on how to develop self-confidence among the students.

Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, was set up by Swami Vivekananda, the main disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, in 1897.

The seminar will conclude tomorrow.