Culture is the real identity of a country: President

New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said that the civilization showcases the material achievements of a nation but intangible heritage reveals through its culture.

“Culture is the real identity of a country. India’s unique performing arts have kept our incredible culture alive for centuries. Our arts and artists are the carriers of our rich cultural heritage. ‘Unity in diversity’ is the biggest feature of our cultural traditions,” the President said.

She presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puruskar) for the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 here.

Manipur’s Ng Salmon has been awarded in the Tribal Music/Dance category while Mikkong Eko and Konpu Lee Kadu, both from Arunachal Pradesh, have been awarded as ‘Folk Singers’. From Ladakh, if there is Tsering Stanzin, then from Meghalaya there is Gloucester Nongbet — both awarded in the folk music category.

The President said that in our tradition, art is a spiritual practice, a medium of the search for truth, a medium of prayer and worship, a medium of public welfare. “Collective exuberance and unity also find expression through dance and music. Art binds the linguistic diversity and regional characteristics in one thread,” she stressed.

**President Droupadi Murmu At The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Function Along With Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy And Arjun Ram Meghwal**

The President said that we should take pride in the fact that the oldest and best definitions and traditions of art have developed in our country. Our cultural values have become more useful in the modern era, she pointed out adding that in today’s time, which is full of tension and conflict, Indian arts can spread peace and harmony. “Indian arts are also the best example of India’s soft power.”

President Murmu said that just as nature’s gifts like air and water do not recognize human limitations, the art forms are also above language and geographical boundaries.

“The music of M. S. Subbulakshmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Bhupen Hazarika are unhindered by language or geography. With their immortal music, they have left an invaluable legacy for music lovers not only in India but all over the world,” she maintained.

Update

Van Dhan Kendra set up for Andaman’s Onge tribe

In a bid to make the Onge tribe self-sustainable through coconut-based products, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has set up a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra for them at Dugong Creek, in Little Andaman, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan. Initially, 56 members of the Onge tribe will be part of VDVK and focus on producing value-added coconut-based products, including high-quality copra and cold-pressed coconut oil. The PVTG Onge VDVK members have been trained in copra processing, coconut oil extraction, and the use of specialised machinery that has been set up. Dugong Creek, which is about 93 km from Port Blair, is a reserved area for the Onge tribe and is currently home to only 140 people, including 74 males and 66 females.