Aizawl, Jan 29 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who made headlines in 2009 by saying he was a victim of racism in his own country, emphasised here today that each and every citizen of India is Indian first.
''India is a land of diversity, made up of people belonging to different tribes and castes and following different religions. But, all of us are Indian first irrespective of where we come from and we should all be proud to be a Indian,'' Lal Thanhawla said to a team of Bharat Parikrama, who met him at his official residence here.
The four-time chief minister, who had received a 'son of India' award in his previous tenures, expressed regrets that there used to be 'some national leaders who could not tell where is Mizoram' and that he himself had often been mistaken for a foreigner.
''Where we come from or what religions we belong don't matter. We should all accept one another as one and bring the great country forward,'' he added.
Welcoming the touring members into one of the remotest parts of India, Mr Lal Thanhawla expressed hopes that the tour would bring about better brotherhood among the people of India.
The team members included 80 youths drawn from 15 different states. They are on all-India national integration tour conducted by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Mizoram zone, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, under the sponsorship of the ministry of home affairs.
The touring members, are not only in Mizoram for the first time but also in a Northeastern state.
''I almost could not believe that I am still in India. The people and the land are completely different from the mainland. I am proud of this great country and proud to be Indians and feel really fortunate to have this opportunity to explore the incredible India,'' said a team member who came from Uttar Pradesh.
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