Modi inaugurates Navratri festival celebrations in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Oct 1 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Navratri festival celebration 'Nav Shakti Gurjari' at the University ground here late Tuesday.

The event was jointly organised by the Industrial Navratri Festival Society and Gujarat government. As many as 600 artists from 12 states presented colourful dance performances at the festival.

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Officials from the embassies of 30 countries also participating in the festival.

In his speech Modi said that traditional Garba of Gujarat has earned global acclaim. 'It is a glorious cultural legacy of Gujarat,' he said.

Referring to terrorism, Modi said terror divides the world while tourism unites it. He praised the industrial houses for their constructive efforts in establishing a global identity of Navratri festival.

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani and Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma were also present at the ceremony.

Advani in his speech lauded the efforts of the chief minister calling him an able administrator and said the Navratri festival would bring progress and prosperity to the state.

Delivering his welcome address, president of the Navratri Mahotsav Society Parimal Nathvani said, 'We have honoured the traditions and are glad that the industries and the state government joined hands to celebrate this festival. We feel pride in fulfilling our social obligation and commitment.'

Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly Ashok Bhatt, ministers, members of Parliament, state legislature members, BJP state unit president Purushottam Rupala and industrialists were among those who attended the ceremony.