PM Narendra Modi joins Cabinet colleagues, opposition leaders at Sankranti milan

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined a number of his Cabinet colleagues and leaders from other political parties at an event organised by Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to celebrate 'Makar Sankranti' and ' Pongal' festivals.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi described Makar Sankranti as a festival which has a relationship with nature.

He said though the festival is celebrated in different forms across the country, it inspires all of mankind towards progress and achievement.

"This festival is celebrated across the country in different types and names. This (festival) is linked with the nature and also with the movement of the Sun. The message of the festival for the human being is for reaching new high in life," Modi said.

The event at Naidu's residence was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan among others.

Congress MPs Jyotiraditya Scindia, Rajeev Shukla, NCP leader Praful Patel also attended.

BJP president Amit Shah, party veteran LK Advani along with his wife and daughter and several BJP MPs also graced the occasion.

Chief Election Commissioner Sampath Kumar, Election Commissioner HS Brahma and many senior officials were also present on the occasion.

While several dance troupes from southern states performed folk dances and music, Andhra delicacies were on the offer for the guests.

Naidu's residence was all decked up with flowers and rangoli for the occasion. Bharat Natyam from Tamil Nadu, Kuchipadi from Andhra, Yakshagana from Karnataka and tribal dance from Kerala were performed on the occasion.