lord Ram is identity of India: CM

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that lord Ram is the moving spirit of India. lord Ram is identity of Indian culture. He said that even today, common people of India imbibe moral education from Ramayana. People have memorised “chaupais” of Ramayana. Chouhan said that Ramayana has cast deep impact not only on Indians, but also entire world, specially South Asian people.

Chouhan was addressing Ramayana lover audience before presentation of the epic by an art troupe from Cambodia under the series International Ramayana Mela at Bharat Bhavan here on Saturday. The series has been held by Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Chouhan lauded the council for holding International Ramayana Mela. He informed that the State Government bears half of expenses on journey to Angkor Wat in Cambodia where Indian culture has been displayed on grand scale. It is noteworthy that Angkor Wat’s famous temples are dedicated to lord Vishnu.

Episodes of Ramayana have been carved at inside walls of the temples. He said that now foreign artistes will also perform at Bharat Bhavan. Union Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Ramayana is the epic of human kind. It connects countries of the world. It is a guide for entire humanity. She said that an exhibition based on premises of Angkor Wat temples of Cambodia will be held at Bhopal. Describing Bhopal as cultural capital of India, she referred in detail to wide popularity of Ramayana in various countries. She informed that 8 lakh population of South Korea believes that their ancestors were natives of Ayodhya in India. Centre of Ramayana is being constructed in Mauritius.\\

Council’s President Satish Chandra Mehta while informing about series of International Ramayana Mela informed that it was held in New Delhi from February 23 to 27. The council has decentralized cultural events. Ramayanas of 7 countries are being presented in 12 cities in the country. Bhopal has also been selected for the series. Cambodian artistes gave emotional presentation of Ramayana’s episodes.

Revenue Minister Rampal Singh, Principal Secretary Manoj Shrivastava and large number of culture lovers were present on the occasion.