NEW DELHI, January 17: Underlining the need to promote a lifestyle that is in sync with nature, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said this characteristic of India had resonated at the crucial Paris Climate Conference last month.
Highlighting the connect between Indian festivals and the changing moods and requirements of nature, he further said that these were an attempt to connect the journey of life with nature.
"Today, once again, the world is concerned about nature.
World has become aware of it in its own way. How to connect with nature, how to balance life with nature is a major challenge before the world. Recently, the resolution passed at CoP-21 has this essence of Indian philosophy.
"There is a message in that if environment has to be protected, the world will have to accept a lifestyle which is in tune with nature. We have been nurtured with this as a tradition for centuries," Modi told a 'Sankranti Milan' event at the residence of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu here.
The function, which was attended by a large number of people from South India who reside in the national capital, also had a number of Union ministers, judges and BJP leaders, too, in attendance.
Naidu's family members carried out a traditional puja after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated the programme with the lighting of a lamp.
Noting that 'Makar Sankranti' heralds a new year and announces the arrival of the new crop, Mahajan hoped that the sweets consumed during the festival will spread sweetness all around in the New Year.
Naidu, famous for his one-liners, was at his humorous best as he engaged in brief conversations with the leaders present on the occasion.
Thus, he told Mahajan that there was "more discipline" in this 'local sabha' than in Lok Sabha.
Welcoming Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah, he jokingly said he had got himself adopted by her as she has a lot of property. Heptullah responded by saying 'Venkaiahji is my adopted son'.
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Harsh Vardhan, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Narendra Singh Tomar, VK Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and a number of judges were present for the event.
Also among the attendees was Chief Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary, whom Naidu hailed as one of the most upright officers.
The Prime Minister and the Speaker also felicitated noted singer SP Balasubrahmanyam on the occasion, who dedicated a song for the Prime Minister's pet programme, 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. Naidu spoke at length about the singer's achievements.
Rajnath called Naidu his elder brother as he joined his ministerial colleagues in thanking the senior BJP leader for organising the event.
