Indian art, particularly dance, offers a model of inclusivity in a world increasingly divided by conflicts and discord, said Vice-President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. He emphasized the power of India’s rich cultural heritage to unite people across boundaries, stating, “In a world grappling with conflicts, transgressions, and discord, Indian art offers a ray of light. When the tunnel is filled with challenges and divisiveness, it is culture, dance, and music that unite us across barriers. Howsoever divisive the world may be, the unity brought about by our culture is impregnable, soothing, and lasting."

Addressing the gathering at the International Festival on Indian Dance, organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Vice-President said, “Performing arts have the power to unite, heal, inspire, and motivate. Dance artists are cultural and peace ambassadors, promoting dialogue and laying the groundwork for soothing diplomatic maneuvers. Dance is a great facet of cultural diplomacy, fostering understanding and connection across boundaries."

Shri Dhankhar hailed India’s cultural richness, noting, “Bharat is a gold mine of fine arts. Our cultural revival integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary practices, further cementing India’s image as a cultural powerhouse. The world witnessed this during our G20 Presidency, where our culture was showcased as a feast for the senses. Culture, dance, and music are the universal languages of mankind, understood and appreciated globally.”

On this occasion, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed gratitude to Vice President Shri Jaideep Dhankhar for his esteemed presence, and also

extended a warm welcome to Lok Sabha, MP, Smt. Hema Malini, Padma Vibhushan recipient  Ms. Padma Subrahmanyam, the Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dr. Sandhya Purecha and thanked them for their contribution towards India's dance traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism said that this 'Maha Kumbh' of our culture that lasted for 6 days is a symbol of India's cultural diversity and prosperity. The event has paved the way for not only a beautiful display of art, but also narrations, lectures and discussions on various subjects related to art.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said, “You all have proposed 14 such topics and points of resolution which will serve as a guide for the Ministry of Culture of India in the coming times and will make a big contribution in re-establishing and showcasing India's cultural importance on the global stage.”

Further, he evoked Acharya Dhananjay and his great work ‘Dasharupakam’, and said, "He had talked about 'Bhavaasrayam Nrityam', meaning 'dance is all about bhaava'. In this great tradition of ours, ‘bhaava’ was indeed the most prominent element in the history of humanity, which deeply embedded the sentiment of public welfare and global brotherhood."

He also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not only has India achieved global acceptance in the area of dance and culture, but also in the fields of Indian Yoga, our Ayush tradition and medical system, Indian music and Indian knowledge systems. The Minister added that dance, done with utmost sincerity, can definitely establish unity with the universal conscience and at the same time further enrich India's role as a beacon for the world.

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