Festivals And National Unity

 the procession reached the road passing through the Muslim locality, some incident would trigger anger between the two communities, and a riot would nearly break out. Last year, the Muslims of that place held a meeting and decided that they would not resist the procession, nor insist on changing its route. So when the procession came, they, unlike previous years, welcomed it and tried to support it. For example, since it was summer, they arranged cold drinking water at various places along the way. The result was very pleasant. The two communities, who earlier saw each other as rivals, began seeing each other as friends. The procession, which usually became a source of tension, became a means of friendship and unity between the two groups. If festivals are celebrated in the right way, they undoubtedly become a source of tolerance and true unity. They connect the whole society in a shared human bond and help build a good and moral community. And the result of a good society is what we call unity. All India Radio, New Delhi, 24 April 1989. FESTIVALS AND NATIONAL UNITY