Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday called on young people to preserve and protect Indian culture and understand the significance of every Indian festival.
Naidu said the traditional New Year festival, celebrated across the country with different names and customs such as Ugadi, Yugadi, Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Sukladi, Cheti Chand, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Navreh is a symbol of Indian culture – reflecting its diversity and its underlying unity.
Speaking at the Ugadi celebrations at the Swarna Bharat Trust in Hyderabad, the Vice President wished the traditional New Year to usher in prosperity and happiness in the lives of the people of the country.
He observed that strengthening ties between people of different cultures promotes harmony in society. Recalling India‘s civilizational value of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, Naidu called for sustained efforts by all for the progress of the country. “Let us unite and move forward, realize Atma Nirbhar Bharat,” he said.
Naidu observed that colonial rule exploited India and led to an inferiority complex among Indians. Urging everyone to be proud of India’s ancient heritage, the Vice President said India is growing rapidly in all sectors and the whole world is looking to India. Calling for the highest quality of debate in public discourse, he said no one should diminish the country’s status on the world stage.
Recalling that New Year’s Eve is also a celebration of nature’s bounty, the Vice President urged everyone to make a New Year’s commitment to preserving nature and adopting sustainable practices. He also advised people, especially young people, to avoid sedentary lifestyles and adopt healthy habits.
The Vice President stressed the importance of the use of Indian languages in public life and suggested that “everyone should cherish and use their mother tongue in their daily lives, as far as possible”. He also wanted the mother tongue to be the language of instruction in schools, at least up to primary level. Naidu said Indian languages should increasingly be used in administration and courts.
The Vice President commended Swarna Bharat Trust for its activities towards women empowerment and youth development.
