India has special identity because of its rich cultural

Stressing that India has a special identity in the world because of its rich cultural heritage, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today said that it was the responsibility of everyone to uphold it.

“India has a special identity in the world because of its rich cultural heritage…People from different places have excelled in their fields and won respect for the country the world over..It is our responsibility to work towards upholding and maintaining this identity,” Yadav said at music function here.

Referring to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the state (Varanasi), Yadav said as his country is regarded as the ‘land of the rising sun”, India and Uttar Pradesh are known the world over as “land of Buddha”, “Land of Ram, Krishna and Shiva” and the “land of the Taj”.

He said that music of the state is very rich and a lot of “gharanas” of the state are highly popular and successful.

“Material facilities give us happiness only for a short while but music gives peace of mind in the real sense..In the present day tensions , it gives peace of mind to people”, he added.