The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 28^th Dantan Gramin Mela -2017 at Dantan, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal yesterday (19^thJanuary, 2017).

Speaking on the occasion, the President Pranab Mukherjee expressed concern over growing tensions and difference of opinion in society. Referring to the violence in different parts of the world,the President said the general trend of human society is for people to love each other and co-exist, not spread hatred. Rural fairs like Dantan Gramin Mela promote brotherhood, harmony and peaceful co-existence among people. They reflect the eternal wisdom of rural areas and increase friendship amongst different sections of society.

This release issued at 1125 hrs.