LUDHIANA, January 12: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today said that India’s strength lies in its diversity. He said, India was a confluence of different cultures which had their own colour and all of which together made this country beautiful.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the National Youth Festival organised jointly by the Government of India and Punjab government to coincide with the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Tewari said, the coming together of thousands of youth from across the country will provide them a unique experience of learning about each other’s culture and way of life.
The function was presided over by the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal while the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs and Defence Jitender Singh was the Chief Guest.
Tewari, who represents Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha, extended his warm welcome to the youth who have come from across the country representing all the states and union territories. He said, such festivals and programmes bring people together and help in forging greater unity and understanding.
He also hoped that the guests from all over India will have the best feel of the hospitality the Punjabis are known for. He said, Ludhiana also represents the vibrant culture of entrepreneurship. He said, the very place where the festival was being held, the Punjab Agricultural University had scripted the Green Revolution that had banished hunger from the country.
Addressing the gathering Union Minister Jitender Singh congratulated the organisers of the festival for bringing together youth from across the country. HE said, he was impressed by the cultural extravaganza presented by the participants at the inaugural function.
The minister said, he was happy that the festival this time was being organised in a state like Punjab which had its own great and glorious culture. Sh. Jatinder Singh also announced that Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development to be established at Chandigarh, which will cater the needs of the youth of the northern India.
Singh, accompanied by Tewari and Badal unfurled the flag to mark the beginning of the National Youth Festival.