Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has underlined the importance of peoples’ aspirations for the cause of nation building while stressing over continuous discussions and discourses which have been an integral part of Indian culture and civilization.
Citing the famous philosophical discussion taken place between Lord Krishna and Arjuna during Mahabharta the Vice President drew attention to the outcome which enriched the human civilization. “Discourse between Krishna and Arjun is the root of the entire Gita. That helped a lot in building the nation and civilization what we are today. Important to note that participants from different walks of life including women had chipped into this and contributed,” said Naidu during his address at the inaugural session of Lok Manthan programme organised under ‘Pragya Pravah’ on Thursday at Khelgaon.
He added that the exchange of idea like this would strengthen the idea of India through exploration of cultural richness and heritage of the country while blaming the neglect it had to meet during colonial period. “No matter how high one goes, never forget your parents, your motherland and mother tongue. These values should always be respected. Language and sentiment go together,” said the VP who also talked at length about unity in diversity of the country.
Naidu on the occasion recalled the teachings of Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Geandhi who unanimously stressed over openness to the ideas coming in and accepting dissents with free mind. “The great luminaries never were in favour of building a walled society. If their teachings are written properly and followed then India would become Vishva Guru in real terms.
Younger generations should be aware of it and encouraged to learn about our glorious and prosperous past. That self realization is also the need of the hour,” said the VP stressing over non-imperial record and secular credentials of Indian culture.
Also present on the occasion was Chief Minister Raghubar Das who said that the event would bring laurels to the State. “Jharkhand is feeling proud by hosting so many noted personalities. This land belonged to great sons of the soils since 1857 and before. This occasion be utilised in sending out the message to reinstate the statues of Vishva Guru to India,” said the CM.
Also present on the occasion was J Nand Kumar who presented preface of the second edition of the Lok Manthan and said it would help developing idea of India among the masses. Governor Droupadi Murmu, Culture Minister Amar Kumar Bauri, Manmohan Vaidya of RSS and other Ministers of the State Cabinet also attended the four-day function.