The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today called for encouraging youth to be aware of India's ancient tradition and culture and uphold our national value of 'unity in diversity'. He added that India's pluralistic culture has the power to unite people, going beyond various social divisions in society.

Shri Naidu was speaking at a cultural event 'Alai Balai' in Hyderabad, organised as part of Dasara festivities by the Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya. The event witnessed leaders and dignitaries from various fields and political parties exchange greetings and pleasantries. The Vice President complimented Shri Dattatreya for taking initiative in organizing 'Alai Balai' over the years to promote camaraderie and brotherhood among people. 

On the occasion, Shri Naidu recalled the legacy of the great freedom fighter Shri 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 our great leaders and to take inspiration from their lives to protect the pluralistic culture of India.

Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Telangana Home Minister, Shri Mohammed Mahmood Ali, film actors Shri Pawan Kalyan and Shri Manchu Vishnu, Managing Director of Dr. Reddy Labs, Shri G.V. Prasad, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, Shri Krishna Ella, Chairman & Founder of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Dr. Nageshwar Reddy, Managing Director of Biological E., Ms. Mahima Datla and others were present on the occasion.

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MS/RK