R-Day parade: NDA states' floats go for harmony theme
NEW DELHI: Whether it was Narendra Modi's Gujarat or Nitish Kumar's Bihar, the themes for the tableaux of NDA-ruled states hogged the attention during the Republic Day parade here on Wednesday.
The message of "peace and communal harmony" ran as the common thread in the themes displayed by the states, making many to wonder whether it was just a mere coincidence.
The Narendra Modi government took time off with its pet pursuit of flaunting growth figures to choose a tableau based on Lord Buddha's message of peace and tolerance. The pride of place given to the chant of "Budham saranam gacchhami" naturally led some to suspect whether it was par for Modi's attempt to shed the "communal" tag. Especially because Gujarat was not among the centres of Buddhism when the faith flourished in India.
Asked about the choice, Modi told TOI, "Violence and terror has become a global menace. If we want to see a better India we need peace first. We always try to maintain peace in our state, but we are struggling for the nation as Gujarat is a part of this Akhand Bharat."
The thought almost echoed what Bihar CM had to say as to why the state chose to showcase the shrine of the 16th century Sufi saint Sharfuddin Yahiya Maneri on the Rajpath. The JD(U) leader, who ensured that Modi didn't get to campaign in Bihar, told TOI, "Hazrat Maneri syombolises the spirit of religious tolerance, peace and education. He is the real representative of what has been the ethos of Bihar through centuries," adding, "our tableau celebrated the message of peace and accommodation that sufis like Hazrat Maneri and others have spread."
Doubts that there could be a pattern to the Republic Day offerings of the NDA states could have only been strengthened by Karnataka. The BJP-ruled state --reputed for its IT prowess -- chose to display its Muslim artisans known for their Bidri work. The motif is named after its place of origin -- Bidar district -- and the art form had travelled from Persia in the 11th century during the time of Sultan Ahmed Shah. It fused with local art forms to give rise to a craft that is largely practised by Muslim artisans. CM B S Yeddyurappa told TOI, "We want to say the state is proud of its art and artisans, supports it workers, its poor, irrespective of their caste and community."
His officials spoke in the same vein. "Art for integrity, promotion of secular and cultural heritage of Karnataka through fine arts," they explained.
BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh had traditional tribal motifs -- known as Bag print on textiles -- on show. Originating from cave paintings in the state, Bag prints trace their origin to Dhar district, and Muslim artisans are the mainstay for it. State officials said, "the idea behind the tableau was to take the state's heritage to the national and international level."
The message of "peace and communal harmony" ran as the common thread in the themes displayed by the states, making many to wonder whether it was just a mere coincidence.
The Narendra Modi government took time off with its pet pursuit of flaunting growth figures to choose a tableau based on Lord Buddha's message of peace and tolerance. The pride of place given to the chant of "Budham saranam gacchhami" naturally led some to suspect whether it was par for Modi's attempt to shed the "communal" tag. Especially because Gujarat was not among the centres of Buddhism when the faith flourished in India.
Asked about the choice, Modi told TOI, "Violence and terror has become a global menace. If we want to see a better India we need peace first. We always try to maintain peace in our state, but we are struggling for the nation as Gujarat is a part of this Akhand Bharat."
The thought almost echoed what Bihar CM had to say as to why the state chose to showcase the shrine of the 16th century Sufi saint Sharfuddin Yahiya Maneri on the Rajpath. The JD(U) leader, who ensured that Modi didn't get to campaign in Bihar, told TOI, "Hazrat Maneri syombolises the spirit of religious tolerance, peace and education. He is the real representative of what has been the ethos of Bihar through centuries," adding, "our tableau celebrated the message of peace and accommodation that sufis like Hazrat Maneri and others have spread."
Doubts that there could be a pattern to the Republic Day offerings of the NDA states could have only been strengthened by Karnataka. The BJP-ruled state --reputed for its IT prowess -- chose to display its Muslim artisans known for their Bidri work. The motif is named after its place of origin -- Bidar district -- and the art form had travelled from Persia in the 11th century during the time of Sultan Ahmed Shah. It fused with local art forms to give rise to a craft that is largely practised by Muslim artisans. CM B S Yeddyurappa told TOI, "We want to say the state is proud of its art and artisans, supports it workers, its poor, irrespective of their caste and community."
His officials spoke in the same vein. "Art for integrity, promotion of secular and cultural heritage of Karnataka through fine arts," they explained.
BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh had traditional tribal motifs -- known as Bag print on textiles -- on show. Originating from cave paintings in the state, Bag prints trace their origin to Dhar district, and Muslim artisans are the mainstay for it. State officials said, "the idea behind the tableau was to take the state's heritage to the national and international level."
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