Unity in diversity is the soul of India’s culture: Kerala Guv Arif Mohd Khan

Team Udayavani, Sep 2, 2024, 8:26 AM IST

Udupi: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan emphasized that despite differences in religions, all Indians share a common culture. He stated that although we worship God under different names, all prayers ultimately reach Krishna (Keshava). He highlighted that unity in diversity is the soul of India’s culture.

He made these remarks while presiding over the closing ceremony of the Sri Krishna Masotsava Festival organized by Sri Krishna Matha and Paryaya Sri Puthige Matha on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami on Sunday.

Khan elaborated on the importance of the spirit behind our prayers, rather than the language in which they are offered, and noted that diversity is a natural law, which fosters unity.

Sanskrit: The Root of All Languages

Paryaya Sri Puthige Mathadheesha Sri Sugunendra Theertha Sripada, in his blessing message delivered in Sanskrit, described Sanskrit as the universal and divine language. He stated that Sanskrit is the root of all languages, including regional languages like Kannada, Tulu, Hindi, Tamil, and even international languages like English.

Senior Yati Sri Sushreendra Theertha Sripada also delivered a blessing message.

During the event, Prabhakara Adiga and Harish Bhat were honored. The event was attended by MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLC Pratap Simha Nayak, and former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, among others. Sri Matha’s Raghothama Acharya welcomed the guests, and Dr. B. Gopalacharya hosted and delivered the vote of thanks.

Governor’s Visit to Shri Krishna Matha

Governor Arif Mohammad Khan was welcomed at Shri Krishna Matha by the Paryaya Sri Puthige Matha. The priests facilitated a special darshan of Lord Krishna for the Governor. Later, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Sripada blessed him with the initiation into the ‘Koti Geeta Lekhana Yajna’ (writing one crore verses of the Bhagavad Gita) at the Geeta Mandir. After the ceremony, a procession accompanied by Vedic chants and musical instruments was held from Geeta Mandir to Rajangana.