Hyderabad: Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu stated that festivals are not only spiritual but also play an important role in bringing people together and fostering friendly relationships. He emphasized that this has been a part of India’s culture and heritage for centuries, dating back to the Upanishadic times.
He explained that festivals in India promote unity and encourage people to respect each other’s ideas while living harmoniously. Naidu stressed the need for unity at all levels—family, society, region, nation, and globally. He urged people to avoid adopting extreme individualistic ideologies from foreign cultures and to embrace the Indian way of thinking, which focuses on collective unity and cooperation. The Alai-Balai program, according to him, embodies this spirit of unity and helps preserve the traditions of fraternity and togetherness.
Former Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao also highlighted the importance of the Alai-Balai program. He suggested that it should not only be celebrated in Hyderabad but across the state and the country to spread the message of unity and fraternity.
Telangana State Governor Vishnu Dev Verma, speaking as the chief guest at the Alai-Balai event, said that Indian festivals reflect the joy, unity, and social cohesion that define the country’s culture. He noted that the Alai-Balai celebration showcases the rich rural culture of Telangana, which represents the essence of Indian values such as unity, caring, and sharing. He also emphasized the importance of passing these cultural traditions to future generations.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade praised the spirit of Alai-Balai, calling it part of India’s “Lok Kala” (folk art) tradition. He pointed out that despite attempts by invaders to stop these celebrations, people have continued to preserve these cultural practices for centuries.
Uttarakhand Governor Lt. General Gurmit Singh recalled his experience in the Indian Army and his time in Hyderabad’s Bolarama Army Cantonment. He appreciated the vibrant energy and the spirit of unity that Alai-Balai fosters. He extended his greetings to the people of Telangana and invited them to visit Uttarakhand, emphasizing the cultural similarities between the regions. He also expressed happiness in meeting leaders from different states, especially praising the Telangana Chief Minister.
Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar spoke about the significance of Dasara, explaining that the festival encourages people to walk the path of truth and righteousness. He praised the Alai-Balai celebration for its 19-year tradition of bringing people together.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy reflected on the spirit of Dasara in Telangana villages, where people used to set aside their differences and celebrate in unity. However, he expressed concern over the current political discourse in the two Telugu states, which he feels is becoming increasingly divisive. He urged political leaders to reconsider their actions and promote togetherness in the spirit of Alai-Balai.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar fondly remembered how cultural programs like Alai-Balai and Holi are associated with Dattatreya. He expressed his joy at seeing leaders from all political parties come together for the event, setting aside their differences to celebrate Telangana’s culture and heritage. He emphasized the importance of preserving these traditions for future generations and encouraged everyone to contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a strong society.
