Nellore: Former Vice-President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, emphasised that Ganesha festivals symbolise the union of devotion and patriotism, recalling that freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak first transformed Ganesh Chaturthi into a community celebration to instil national spirit among the people.
He urged everyone to follow Tilak’s ideals of combining faith with love for the nation.
Naidu was speaking as the chief guest at the grand Ganesha idol immersion celebrations held in Nellore city.
As part of the festivities, he offered prayers at the Swarna Lingeshwara Swamy temple, worshipped Lord Ganesh’s idol at Ganesh Ghat, and took part in rituals before the immersion.
The celebrations featured women’s devotional pujas, traditional kolatam dances, Kerala’s Singari Melam, bhajan troupes, and the Ganga Harathi performed at the Nellore tank.
He further noted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), now marking its centenary year, has always stood for promoting patriotism and cultural values among the people.
Several dignitaries participated in the event, including Rural MLA Kotam Reddy Sridhar Reddy, Sarvepalli MLA Chandramohan Reddy, NUDA Chairman Srinivasulu Reddy, RTC Regional Chairman Suresh Reddy, BJP State Vice-President P. Surendra Reddy, District BJP President Sifa Reddy, Vikramarka Samiti Vice-President Bhayya Vasu, Vikrama Simhapuri Ganesh Utsav Samiti Honorary President Nageswar Rao, President Srikanth, Secretaries Bhaskar Reddy, Eshwarayya, Harshavardhan, and AVR Mohan Rao.
The celebrations concluded with cultural performances.