Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said India has its rich and diverse cultural heritage to offer to the world.
He compared the diverse cultures of Indian communities to a garden of many flowers.
"More flowers, more beautiful the garden is," he said while addressing the opening ceremony of the national 'Maati Ke Rang' Festival at the NEZCC Dimapur Complex here.
Rijiju added that India belongs to all the communities which constitute the great country.
Taking note of the discriminations taking place in metro cities against the north-east people, he said that as a representative of the region it is his obligation to ensure all legislative steps by the government and also declared that the north-east region will not lag behind.
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"We are not less with the capital city of Delhi in terms importance. The Prime Minister has announced to make the north-east a commercial and economic hub of the country considering the region's potential," he said.
Rijiju assured the people of Nagaland that he would closely monitor and work towards solving the Naga problem. He also urged the people to work for peace as it is the essence of development and growth.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who was also present at the festival, said 'unity in diversity has been translated in our state today'.
The Maati Ke Rang Festival is being held for the first time in the north-east region. The festival, which is considered to be one of the largest festivals of the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture, will continue till January 17.
More than 600 artistes from various cultural troupes from across the nation and four neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar are participating in the festival.
