Chennai: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee asserted on September 13 that India would always remain an "open, inclusive and tolerant nation", with the freedom of faith guaranteed to all, in spite of unfortunate "aberrations", recurrence of which must be prevented.

"I disagree with those who say that Indian democracy is in danger. There is also no need to be sceptical about Indian secularism," he said inaugurating the 125th anniversary of the national English daily, 'The Hindu'.

Urging all sections of the Indian media to participate with a sense of mission in the "adventure" of social transformation to ensure that India became a "developed nation", the Prime Minister said in this process, "we have to unlearn many habits and learn new and constructive ones".

The state Governor P S Ramamohan Rao presided over the function and Dr C Rangarajan, chairman of the 12th Finance Commission, delivered a special address.

PTI