Each individual should be able to involve him or herself within the entire functioning of democracy, Chatterjee added.

He regretted that there were many people in society who were keen on working for the country but could not do so because of corruption. Chatterjee rued the fact that even so many years after Independence, 25 per cent of the country’s population was deprived of education and women were still fighting for their rights.

He also urged social activists and philanthropists to come forward to uplift society with their development plans.

Lauding the various social and development works of the sabha and industrialist and social activist Sundarlal Dugar, who was felicitated on the occasion, Chatterjee said a Rs 5 crore fund set up by the Jain Sabha for extending loans to young entrepreneurs without interest, would be of immense help to the

under-privileged.

The programme was attended, among others, Left Front chairman Biman Bose.