Home Minister Rajnath Singh was at the inauguration of the 10-day 'Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav'.
Noting that unity in diversity is the speciality of India, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said it is the Indian culture that unites the country despite having so many diversities as he inaugurated a 10-day festival, 'Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav', in New Delhi on Saturday.
"Whatever you have seen here (the fair venue) or going to see, you would easily reach to a conclusion that India is full of diversity whether it is language, behaviour, dress, lifestyle, food...in every way. But even after that India is one. Unity in diversity is the speciality of India. And the work or strength that binds us together even in such diversity is the Indian culture. It is the force that keeps us as one in spite of so many diversities," he said in his address after inaugurating the festival at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.
Citing an example of 'unity in diversity', he said a person who is follower of Lord Krishna would find temple dedicated to Krishna all over the country from south to north and from east to west.
"Wherever you go, you would find a temple or place where you can pray Krishna whether it is Varanasi in north, Guruvayur in south, Dwarka in west, or (Jagannath Temple of) Puri in east. You go to any corner of the country, this makes you automatically connected to Bharat. This is the speciality of India. Indian culture keeps India united and integrated," he said.
Mr Singh said it is India which has given the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) to the world.
He said people of other countries measure the greatness of the ruler on the parameters of the geographical area and military power but in India, it is measured on the basis of sacrifice and character.
Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said the 10-day event will bring together people from across the country who would showcase India's cultural heritage through performances, arts and cuisines.
"While the event will connect youth to various facets of our rich and vibrant culture, it also gave people from different regions a chance to showcase their talent, artworks and delicacies at a larger-than-life podium," he said.
The second edition of the cultural festival will culminate on October 24.
The festival will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the country through handicrafts, cuisine, painting, sculpture, photography, documentation and performing arts like folk, tribal, classical and contemporary.
The seven zonal cultural centres have been given slots to present their arts during the festival which would showcase an amalgamation of 'Ek Bharat, Srestha Bharat', 'Hamaari Sanskriti, Hamaari Pahchaan' and 'Swachh India'.
Nagaland Governor Padamanabha Acharya was also present at the event.
A coffee table book, 'Mandu', and a DVD on 'vandalism' were released on the occasion.