Leh: Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day were celebrated with full fervour at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat in the presence of Secretary, Bhanu Prabha, IAS; SSP Piyush Fulzele, IPS; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS and guests from Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Maharashtra and Gujarat commemorate their statehood, marking the split of Bombay State along linguistic lines in 1960, on May 1.
Under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative of the Government of India, the Foundation Day of every state/UT is held at every Raj Niwas/Raj Bhawan across the country to celebrate India’s rich cultural diversity, foster a sense of national unity and promote a spirit of mutual understanding and respect.
Secretary, Bhanu Prabha, IAS, wishing everyone on Maharashtra and Gujarat Day, stated that both states are like children of one single mother, as both states were carved out of Bombay state on this day in 1960.
Highlighting that both states are connected historically and culturally, she recalled the contribution of freedom fighters, social activists and thinkers from the states who contributed to the nation’s freedom from British colonial rule and helped in drafting the Indian Constitution.
Secretary Bhanu Prabha also appreciated the resilience shown by the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat in the wake of terror attacks in the states many years ago.
She called Maharashtra the financial hub of the country and Gujarat the state housing the wealth of rich people of India, as Gujarat is home to lots of billionaires.
Piyush Fulzele, IPS, while speaking on the occasion, called Mumbai in Maharashtra state, which is the financial capital of India, a hub of top educational institutions and home to Bollywood.
Stating that people of Maharashtra are welcoming, he highlighted the contribution of people from Maharashtra in India’s freedom struggle against British colonial rule.
He also highlighted the state’s healthcare system, along with the agriculture and horticulture produce from the state, which is exported to other states and foreign countries.
Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, remembered the sacrifices made by the people of Maharashtra during their struggle for a separate state.
He highlighted the contribution of freedom fighters and social reformers such as Savitribhai Phule, considered the first female teacher in India, who played a vital role in improving women’s rights in India and is considered the pioneer of India’s feminist movement.
He also highlighted Maharashtra state’s significant contribution to the nation’s economic growth.
DC Leh stated that people of Maharashtra, who form a significant percentage of tourists visiting Ladakh, contribute to Ladakh’s economy.
Stating that patriotism and nationalism are ingrained in people from Maharashtra and Gujarat, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of co-operative and competitive federalism to achieve all round growth and the need for people from all walks of life to come together to take the nation forward to fulfil the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Shrikrishna and Dr Mahesh from Maharashtra, along with Rathore Prakash from Gujarat, spoke on the occasion and shared information about their states.
Messages from Governor, Maharashtra, CP Radhakrishnan and Governor, Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, were also played on the occasion, and a video highlighting Maharashtra state’s unique culture and identity was screened during the event.
Staff from the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat and Raj Niwas were also present at the event.
