Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday stressed the need to return to the roots of Indian culture and promote its languages. After inaugurating an exhibition organised as part of the ‘Lokmanthan-2024’, a conference of ‘nationalist thinkers’, Naidu stressed the need for everyone to start following “our traditions, culture and attire” again.
Describing ‘Sanatan Dharma’ as superior, Naidu said Hinduism is so pious that people feed ants and snakes and even worship trees and cattle. “Please see where we are going from there. The British came and invaded us. They not only looted us but also took away our diamonds and other valuables. Not only that, they also ‘looted’ the brains of some of our people. That is why today we are seeing changes (in terms of following culture and traditions),” he said.
Emphasis on yoga practice
He advised the youth to be friendly with nature. Naidu stressed the importance of practising yoga to stay physically fit and mentally alert. On Lok Manthan, Naidu said the underlying idea of the event was to free the minds of Indians from the colonial mindset and to inculcate a sense of pride and commitment towards Indian intellectual discourse, culture, heritage, music and dance. “This is the objective of this programme. This is a noble idea behind this programme,” he said. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy was also present at the event.
President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate it.
President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate Lok Manthan-2024 on November 22. Organised by Pragya Pravah, an organisation of ‘nation-first’ intellectuals, researchers and academics, the event will feature debates on various topics as well as cultural programmes. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries are also expected to attend the event. Representatives from foreign countries, including groups following pre-Abrahamic traditions, will also participate and present cultural dances and other exhibitions. The organisers said that Yazidis, who faced ISIS attacks, are also expected to attend the conference. The biennial event Lok Manthan was first held in Bhopal and then in Ranchi and Guwahati. It started in the year 2016.