Indian Health Minister said festivals promote unity, strengthen composite culture

Scoop News November 10, 2010

Jammu, November 10 (Scoop News) -The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that joint celebration of festivals promotes unity and strengthens composite culture by bringing people of different faiths together.

Speaking at a Diwali Milan here this evening at Ashoka Hotel, Azad said that Jammu and Kashmir is land of diverse faiths, ethnicities and regions bound by secular ethos and harmonious living and added that such social events help to strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and brotherhood.

The Diwali Milan was organized by B. S. Slathia former President of Bar Association of Jammu. The people of all walks of life participated in the Milan.

Azad said our pluralist ethos teaches us to participate in each others festivals and community celebrations. He said every festival brings joy, happiness, besides helping to spread message of peace which, he said is a collective responsibility of all.

Recalling his early days as parliamentarian, when former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi used to organize Eid Milan party, in which people of different faiths participated, Azad said that he drew inspiration from her to organize Milans like Eid Milan, Diwali Milan, Guru Purab Milan, Holi Milan, Christmas Milan in the State to strengthen the bonds of love and friendship. He said Indira Ji and Rajiv Gandhi continuously participated in these programmes and spent maximum time which encouraged one and all.

Lauding Jammu people for their broad vision and tolerance, Azad said that Jammuites have defeated the nefarious designs of those who want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of winter capital. He said Jammu is truly a mini Jammu and Kashmir as it has emerged as a symbol of communal harmony and tolerant culture.

Prominent among those who were present include Minister of State for Cooperatives, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Former Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, MLA, Ashwani Kumar, MLC, Jehangir Mir, Veteran journalist, Balraj Puri, Retd. Justice K. K. Gupta, Lawyers, Doctors, engineers, traders, students and prominent citizens.

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