Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who revived this great festival, called it a “Symbol of our nation’s integration and communal harmony”.

Today and in the years to come, it is necessary for us to observe this traditional festival, on an even larger scale, and with even greater enthusiasm, than ever before. Only the demonstrated brotherhood and unity among the people, will drive away the clouds of communal disharmony that have been, of late, appearing over the horizon.

The thousands and thousands of people belonging to all religions and regions of India, assembled here in joyous celebrations, and giving their offerings at the Dargah of Khwaja Bhakthiar Kaki and the Temple of Yogmaya, is massive witness to the religious tolerance and communal amity that exist in our country. Phool Walon-Ki-Sair is a festival of secularism. It is an affirmation of the spirit of fraternity, and expression of the love and affection, that bind the many millions of our people together, into a nation. And it is also an exhuberant flowering of the aesthetic and cultural sense that gives beauty, colour and meaning to the lives of our people.

In the end may I recall a famous couplet from Dr. Iqbal:-

MAZHAB NAHIN SIKHATA, AAPAS MAIN BAIR RAKHANA
HINDI HAIN HUM, WATAN HAI, HINDUSTAN HAMARA.

Thank you