PM Modi speaks of non-discrimination and equality at ‘Diwali Milan’

Hailing Indian festivals as occasions that give new inspiration to society, he said: “The festival of lights (Deep Parva) is also a part of it. There is no discrimination in it. It also strengthens the value of equality.”

Stressing on mass connect of festivals, including the Kumbh fair, the Prime Minister added: “In our society, festivals in themselves are a big strength, which give the society a new momentum, energy and enthusiasm.”

He further added: “A number of stories can be generated if its social and economic aspects are analysed. For instance, the gathering on the banks of the Ganges during the Kumbh mela is equal to the population of a small European country, which signifies strength.”

Justifying the delay in holding the programme, the Prime Minister said that this year’s ‘Diwali Milan’ got delayed due to his busy schedule. “Had it not been done now, one may have had to wait till Christmas,” Modi said.

BJP’s national president Amit Shah also wished a great year for the country’s democratic traditions. Referring to the two-day long debate in Parliament to commemorate the Constitution Day and the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, Shah said that Parliament has unanimously placed the supremacy of the Constitution above all.

“Our effort will be to take this spirit down the line to people and make even the weakest person in society aware of the Constitutional rights by next year along with the help of all parties and the media,” Shah said.

After his brief remarks from the podium, the Prime Minister stepped down to go around, freely shaking hands with the journalists who had gathered there, some even clicking selfies with him.

It was a repeat of the scenes like last year when the Prime Minister reached out to journalists on a similar occasion.

Several Union ministers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Communications & IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Skill Development Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy were present at the programme. Senior BJP leaders Ram Lal, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Arun Singh, Bhupender Yadav and Saroj Pandey and others also attended the function.