Unity in diversity: VP Naidu hails India's pluralistic traditions and their power to unite people

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu encouraged the youth of India to be aware of and take pride in the culture and traditions of India, noting that such a pluralistic country had the power to unite diverse people. The address was made at the 'Alay Bhalay' even held in Haryana as part of the Dussehra festivities.

He appreciated Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya for continuing the 'Alay Bhalay' programme, which is being conducted for the past 16 years and now entered its 17th anniversary in a row. The festival celebrates the lives and traditions of the people on Telangana. As part of the celebrations he performed a Durga pooja and planted a sapling on the premises of the Jal Vihar where the event was held.

Just as the festival cut across cultures and traditions so to should the people and youth of India appreciate and safeguard these traditions as "proud nationals" the VP opined. Governor Dattatreya added that it was the duty of people to serve society no matter which culture or party they belonged to.

On the occasion, Naidu recalled the legacy of great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak who similarly initiated the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations to unite the people during the Swaraj movement. He called for honouring the legacy of great leaders and to take inspiration from their lives to protect the pluralistic culture of India.