Alai-Balai Dasara Festivities Bring Political Personalities Together to Celebrate Heritage and Unity
The annual Alai-Balai Dasara festivities, hosted by Bandaru Vijayalakshmi, daughter of BJP leader and Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, successfully united political figures from different parties in a celebration of heritage and culture. The event took place at the Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, and witnessed the presence of prominent citizens and political personalities.
Colorfully adorned cultural artists from Telangana and other states welcomed the guests with their captivating songs and dances. Ms. Vijayalakshmi highlighted that her father initiated the event in 2005 with the aim of fostering camaraderie and harmony among people. Furthermore, it serves as an opportunity to promote awareness of the country’s heritage and culture, as well as Telangana’s unique traditions during festive periods.
The Alai-Balai festival has also become a platform that bridges the gap between people from different political and social backgrounds, even during the height of the separate Telangana agitation. Ms. Vijayalakshmi took on the responsibility of organizing the event after her father’s appointment as Haryana Governor in 2019.
During the festivities, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya greeted Union Ministers, Governors, ex-MPs, and other guests with traditional shawls. Many attendees stressed the importance of extending the event to various parts of the country to promote togetherness and the spirit of unity.
However, former Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao stirred some controversy with his speech. He playfully questioned whether Ms. Vijayalakshmi would receive a BJP party ticket in light of the recently passed women’s quota bill by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He shared that he had already inquired with the TS BJP president G. Kishan Reddy about this matter, eliciting smiles from the audience.
Mr. Rao also drew attention to the ongoing violence in Manipur, emphasizing the need for Governors and Ministers to unite as a joint team and propagate peace and unity across all regions of the country. His heartfelt appeal resonated with the audience.
Rajya Sabha MP K. Laxman commended the event and urged everyone to strive towards creating a truly prosperous and harmonious Telangana state.
During the festivities, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, expressed that the long-cherished wish of the nation to have a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya would soon materialize in early 2022.
Eatala Rajender, Former Minister and BJP election campaign coordination committee chairman, praised the Alai-Balai festival as a breath of fresh air at a time when engaging with rival political party leaders is often seen as a crime.
The event was attended by Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy (Tourism, Culture & Development of Northeast Region), V. Muralidharan (Parliament Affairs), Raosaheb Patil Danve (Coal, Mines & Railways), Mizoram Governor K. Haribabu, former Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Minister T. Srinivas Yadav, several ex-MPs, and numerous others. A grand lunch spread comprising of regional delicacies served as the highlight of the festivities.
The Alai-Balai Dasara festivities successfully brought together political personalities from different parties to celebrate India’s rich heritage and promote a sense of unity among its diverse population. The event showcased the power of cultural events as a unifying force in society, transcending political differences and emphasizing the importance of collective harmony and peace.
