Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (second right) unveils the foundation stone of the Salasar Seva Ashram at a programme in Siliguri on Sunday. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Aug. 20: Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today asked the people of the Marwari community here to keep in mind their original roots and serve the poorer sections of the society.

He said Rajasthanis are famous for helping the distressed and consider it their social, moral and religious responsibility. He appealed to the Marwaris living here to maintain the tradition of their ancestors.

“The majority of India’s population are poor and if they are denied their rights to live a dignified life, they might unite to launch a movement that might change any democratically elected government,” the Vice-President said.

Shekhawat was speaking at a programme organised by members of the Marwari community at Shivam Palace here this afternoon. Shekhawat also lay the foundation stone of Salasar Seva Ashram — a home for the elderly, the diseased and the destitute.

He urged the Marwaris of Siliguri to raise a fund from their own earnings for those who were suffering from different diseases including Malaria, Hepatitis B, HIV and AIDS.

“If you want my participation in this task, I am ready to be a part of it,” he said. He said if required, he would come here again for this purpose.

The Vice-President had come down from Sikkim today after completion of his two-day visit there. In the hill state, he had laid the foundation stone for a new Raj Bhavan on the premises of the existing one. He had also visited the statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse in Namchi and the Lingdum monastery in Ranka in East Sikkim.

Lauding Sikkim’s progress as a state, Shekhawat said he would do his best to help it achieve its demands at the Centre. He also felt that the members of Parliament from Sikkim should be more vocal in the capital.

Chamling had submitted a memorandum containing important demands of the state on the first day of the visit.

The Vice-President left for Delhi in the evening today.