Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India in his message to the nation on the Republic Day stressed the need for national unity and in that context he made a mention about the important decisions taken during a meeting of 15 religious leaders at Surat in the presence of Acharya Mahaprajnaji for converting religion into a spiritual force. [SURAT SPIRITUAL DECLARATION, Editors]
In order to implement the decisions, the President announced five inter-religious policies. It was for the first time in the Parliamentary history that the President of the country had included the name of a religious leader in his speech to the nation, particularly a Jain saint. The president under-lined the role played by religious leaders for maintaining peace and harmony. Jain samaj should feel proud of the recognition and appreciation given by him to a Jain Acharya.