Alai Balai brings together leaders across party lines

Former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu along with Union and State Ministers, MPs and other dignitaries participate in Alai Balai celebrations in Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

Leaders across party lines converged on the Alai Balai program in Hyderabad and reaffirmed 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.

Launched by former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya in 2005, the program continues to bring together political leaders and people from various sections of society. His daughter Vijayalakshmi continues the initiative.

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

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

Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said that Alai Balai embodies the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). The program promoted brotherhood and brought people together across the divides of caste, religion and politics, he said.

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

The program 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 Vivk Venkataswamy besides senior Congress leaders K. Jan 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.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:45 IST