Indians are promoters of non-violence and a value system that is about sharing knowledge and creativity, said Indian Minister of State (MoS) External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi.
"Indians are non-violent people. They are basically promoters of non-violence and a value system which is about sharing knowledge, craft and creativity," she said at an event at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
She made these remarks during the third plenary session held on the issue of "Leveraging the Soft Power of India - Goodwill through Craft, Cuisine and Creativity."
Lekhi stressed that Indians have the capacity to remain connected to their roots and at the same time, change with the changing times. "Indians are also adept at using technology," she added.
Praising India's artistic heritage, she said that Indians can create beautiful art, as every Indian carries the craft with them across the globe.
"When I imagine India, the image of a dancing girl comes to my mind, which is representative of the Indus valley civilisation. A culture and civilisation which is soft, gentle and technically sound, as skill is needed to produce that piece of bronze and it represents a woman with confidence," Lekhi said.
"We have always promoted the sharing of knowledge and have never come in others' way," Lekhi said, adding that even holistic medicine came out of India and that Indian cuisine is liked the world over.
Lekhi ended her address by saying that the Indian diaspora is the unofficial ambassador of the country.
(ANI)