Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the people to follow the idea of India as one nation, irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion, and asked them to move together to make the country powerful.
Naidu also stressed the need for good governance to take the benefits of development to the people.
"...Irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion, India is one nation, one country. It should be our target and it should be our culture," Naidu said at the closing ceremony of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the formation of Haryana state at the Mahabir Stadium here.
He said the idea of 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' (the world is one family) was part of the Indian tradition.
"Therefore, we should come together and stay away from caste, disturbance taking place in the name of religion, corruption and eliminate oppression. We should move together and then the country will become a powerful India. And then also 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' will be meaningful," he said.
The vice president said younger generations had to be made aware of the country's religion and culture.
"Our culture and tradition should always be preserved which we have inherited from our ancestors and that religion, tradition, 'Bhartiyata', Hindutva, Indianness should be preserved. We should always follow the same in our lives. We should always make the new generation aware of our religion and culture," he said.
Naidu described Haryana as "pious" and said the country was aware of the state's prosperous culture and tradition and that this land had given the gift of the 'Bhagwad Gita' to the world.
He also said President Ram Nath Kovind would inaugurate the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra, Haryana, on November 25.
Talking about information technology (IT), he said the country was exhibiting its might to the world in the sector, and praised Haryana in its efforts at promoting IT.
"IT and if you do your duty then our country will be mighty," he said in his inimitable style of using rhymes.
The vice president also said development was necessary along with good governance.
"The prime minister always says that development is necessary. Even after 70 years of Independence, there are some deficiencies in the county. Therefore development is a must. Along with development, good governance is also necessary to take the benefits of development to the people," Naidu said.
IT would also help in ensuring good governance, he said.
The vice president also said everybody should learn and know about the Hindi language.
"I belonged to southern India and I did not study Hindi in my childhood. In our area at that time, a campaign against Hindi language was going on. I also participated in it. Later I came to know that it was not possible to move ahead without knowing Hindi. Everybody should learn and know about Hindi," he said.
Naidu also urged all Indians to contribute towards the prime minister's dream project, the Swachh Bharat campaign.
Praising the people of Haryana for making an immense contribution to every sector, Naidu said Haryana was traditionally known for agriculture and milk production.
"The state government is promoting this occupation through new, modern technology and scientific methods. Haryana's foodgrain production has grown manifold since 1966," he said.
Though the state comprises only 1.5 per cent of the country's total area, it contributes 15 per cent towards foodgrain production, he pointed out.
"It is a great achievement and I salute the farmers of Haryana for this great job," he said.
Naidu also appreciated the efforts of the Haryana government in promoting sports and giving facilities to sportspersons who performed well.
"Sports should be an integral part of our life. It is a must," he said.
Naidu also hailed steps taken by the state government for women's empowerment, education and skill development.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
