Once in the land of   Buddha––Bodh Gaya and
            Rajgir––Pratibha made it a point to speak on   the
            cultural, religious and linguistic unity in diversity
            of the country.   Fully aware of the situation in her
            home state the President stressed the   need for
            strengthening of the multi-cultural, multi-religious
            and   multi-lingual ethos of India.
            
            Inaugurating the inter-university cultural   programme,
            Tarang, organized by Magadh University at Bodh Gaya
            she said   India is like a musical instrument with many
            strings. Unless these are fine   tuned, the instrument
            will not produce sweet music.
            
            She appealed to   the people to eschew separatism and
            parochialism. “Diversity of people,   traditions and
            languages combining together like tunes will help
            build a   great nation,” she said.
            
            She call on the Gen-Next to contribute in   protecting
            the vast cultural ethos and tradition of India. Patil
            said the   duty of the universities was not only limited
            to teaching as per its syllabus   but also to encourage
            the youngsters to be patriotic and prepare them   to
            face future challenges.
            
            Patil, who was in her maiden visit to the   state after
            becoming the President, also appealed to the youths to
            fight   social evils like child marriage, dowry and
            addiction and remain committed to   social reforms.
            
            After her visit to Rajgir and Bodh Gaya, the   President
            flew to Patna, where she will stay overnight at the
            Raj Bhawan.   However, late in the evening Patil
            surprised many in the state when she,   along with the
            
            governor, dropped at the official residence of the
            leader of opposition in   the state assembly, Rabri
            Devi. Railway minister Lalu Yadav, who in fact   invited
            her, played a perfect host as he introduced her to the
            family   members and senior partymen. The President
            stayed there for 35 minutes.   Later, Lalu told
            mediapersons that he felt elated by her visit.
            
              
            
              The   President’s visit to Lalu’s place, ostensibly
              without any prior information   to the Press, is being
              interpreted differently in the political circle of   the
              state. The media-persons were taken aback by this
              sudden change in   programme and lensmen later rushed to
              Rabri Devi’s Patna residence to have   some shots.
              However, sources close to the ruling party told
              BiharTimes   that the President should have avoided
              going to Rabri’s residence––though   only a furlong away
              from Raj Bhawan––as such unannounced visit can   cause
              breach in security.