India, Oct. 22 -- Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Thursday said festivals such as Bathukamma and Bonalu reflected Telangana's rich cultural heritage and community spirit, while Alai Balai provided a platform to celebrate these traditions and strengthen unity in diversity.

Speaking at the 'Datthanna Alai Balai' programme held at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad, the Governor said the Alai Balai programme was a symbol of social harmony and the Telangana's rich cultural heritage, bringing people together beyond political differences. "The ideological differences should not undermine mutual respect, friendship and cooperation," he said.

Alai Balai refers to people embracing one another as a gesture of friendship and goo...