Leaders cutting across party lines came together at the Alai Balai programme in Hyderabad, reaffirming the spirit of unity and cultural camaraderie that has made the annual gathering an integral part of Telangana’s cultural life since the days of the Telangana agitation.

Started by former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya in 2005, the programme has continued to bring political leaders and people from different sections of society together. His daughter, Vijayalakshmi, has been carrying forward the initiative.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria were the chief guests. Mr. Shukla said Alai Balai reflected the State’s cultural heritage and community spirit, with people from diverse backgrounds joining the festivities to showcase strength and unity in diversity.

Using the platform to highlight a pressing social concern, the Governor called for greater awareness of the dangers of drugs and stressed the need to protect youngsters from substance abuse.

Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu said Alai Balai embodied the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family). The programme promoted brotherhood and brought people together beyond the divisions of caste, religion and politics, he said.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy called for unity among Hindus to protect Indian culture and traditions.

The programme witnessed the participation of several prominent political leaders, including Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy, and Ministers D. Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar and Vivek Venkataswamy apart from senior Congress leaders K. Jana Reddy and V. Hanumantha Rao.

BJP MPs Raghunandan Rao, Eatala Rajender, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy and K. Laxman, BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao, former Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao and CPI MLA Sambasiva Rao, attended the programme.