PM Narendra Modi inaugurates five-day cultural festival 'Sanskriti'

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated a five-day cultural festival 'Sanskriti', which will highlight the rich cultural heritage of India through performances such as music, dance, drama, poetry, screenings of films on cultural themes, exhibitions of art and literary works here.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma said that Varanasi was an important centre of Culture and history and it was one of the favourite visiting places for foreign tourists.

Keeping in the spirit of the place, the Ministry of Culture has organised a five-day cultural festival in Varanasi, he added.

Highlighting the speed with which the Assi Ghaat along the River Ganges was cleaned, he said that taking up 'Swachhta Abhiyan' in tourist places will give a definite fillip to tourism.

The foreign tourists should carry with them vision of beauty and wisdom of the country and not pictures of its unclean places, the Minister added.

He urged the Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, who was present on the occasion, to help promote Indian culture among the youth by making such tours a part of their education.

The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture will put in all their efforts to contribute towards a Clean India, Sharma, who is also incharge of tourism portfolio further added.