WATCH | MNM chief Kamal Haasan shares the 'narrative for 2019' at Republic Summit 2018

Makkal Needhi Maiam chief and veteran actor Kamal Haasan while putting his perspective on the narrative for 2019 stated that 'diversity, preserving the diversity and respecting the diversity is the only way forward'. Kamal Hassan in his opening remarks at Republic Summit 2018 said:  

"The 2019 narrative should be about diversity, preserving the diversity and respecting the diversity and that's the only way forward. Humanity is an easy word to mouth but to practice it, we will have to accept diversity. Definitely, we are going to be responsible to change the way the world is going to travel. Putting it to practice...we might agree to disagree but Nation building is more important". 

 He further went on to add:

"Theatres are not the place, it’s not the right atmosphere for the national anthem. If it happens every day, it loses its effect. We desire to celebrate the diversity, but with unity".

Debating on the other side, Union textiles minister Smriti Irani reflected her point and said that 'for a surging India there can only be one narrative and there can be only one way forward and that is development'. 

"I think fundamentally when you ask the question what will be the narrative for 2019 be, for a surging India there can only be one narrative and there can be only one way forward and that is development. For a surging nation, which is also an ancient civilization, there can also be this connect with humanity. For an ancient civilization, where a young democracy breathes I think it is quintessential that we also celebrate on this journey of development, our diversity and look at exponentially enhancing our capacities given that there's diversity, acknowledging that at that time in the history of mankind where we can actually we can lead change not only for our countrymen and women but for the world".