Indians' love for diversity is country's real strength: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the natural and instinctive love of Indians for diversity is the nation's real strength and has kept it united through centuries. He also said that it is this aspect which has drawn the world towards India.
"India is home to many cultures, cuisines, customs and lifestyles, where people belonging to different communities, practising different faiths, speaking different languages, observing different rituals not only coexist but also celebrate each other's diverse way of life," he said in a letter to Nazakat Choudhary, a resident of J&K's Poonch.
Choudhary had visited Assam as part of the government's 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' programme that envisages bringing people from different regions together to know each other's cultures and traditions.
Choudhary said he wrote to the PM as to how the trip inspired him and the visit has become a memorable experience for lifetime for him. In his reply, Modi said such efforts bring states and cultures closer to each other, and strengthens the nation's unity.
The North-East region is now "na dil se dur, na Dilli se dur" (neither far from the heart nor from Delhi) as the government has constantly strived for the development of all the states there, the Prime Minister said.
Officials said he referred to the "unprecedented development" in these states in various sectors during the last few years.
Be it agriculture, industry, connectivity, the northeastern states have emerged as the growth engines of the nation, Modi said.
The PM told Choudhary that his journey from the land of Tawi (Jammu) to the land of Brahmaputra (Assam) brings together two regions of the nation.
His enthusiastic participation in 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' programme and the change that has come about his perspective is heartening, Modi said.
He also pointed out that Assam is one of the most beautiful places in terms of both nature and culture.
"Witnessing the multi-hued cultural splendour of Assam during the festival of Bihu, marvelling at the massive Brahmaputra river, learning about great personalities such as Veer Lachit Borphukan and Srimanta Sankaradeva, and enjoying unique products like Muga silk, Tezpur litchi, Joha rice, Boka chaul and Kaji Nemu is truly an incredible experience. I have a particularly special liking for the Gamosa from Assam," Modi said.