Chandigarh, 1st May,2025 - In a remarkable display of national integration and communal harmony, Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh, hosted a grand celebration marking the foundation days of Maharashtra and Gujarat on May 1st, 2025. The event, held at the Guru Nanak Auditorium within the Raj Bhawan premises, exemplified the spirit of unity amidst diversity.
The celebration, aimed at promoting national integration and fostering unity among the diverse cultural groups in the city, brought together dignitaries, officials, and members of the Marathi and Gujarati communities. Hearty congratulations were extended to all Marathi and Gujarati brothers on the anniversary of the formation of the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Video messages from Sh. Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, and Sh. C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra were shared with the audience, emphasizing the significance of this milestone. Additionally, captivating video presentations showcasing the rich history, culture, and traditions of the two states, Maharashtra and Gujarat, were played, leaving the attendees enthralled. Sh. Sh. Nilkanth S. Avadh, IAS from Maharashtra and Sh. Dharmesh Jivani from Gujarat shared insightful information about elaborating on the historical journey, cultural richness, and economic progress of the two states, respectively.
The evening was marked by a colourful bonanza of Maharashtraian & Gujarati folk dance performances by artists of North Zone Cultural Center (NZCC). Gujarati dandiya, Rathawa and Siddi Dhamal and the Maharashtraian Lavni and Gondhal regaled the audience.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria said that the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has regularly stressed on celebrating every state’s heritage and traditions as part of his “Ek Bharat, Shreshtra Bharat” initiative and the celebration is in line with the same sentiment. He further added that by celebrating the foundation days of other states, we hope to create an environment of inclusiveness and mutual respect, which are essential values for a diverse country like ours. “By celebrating the foundation day of all states of the country at the Punjab Raj Bhavan, the people of Chandigarh and Punjab also get an opportunity to learn about the history, traditions and cultures of other states”, said the Governor.
Present among the dignitaries were Sh. Satya Pal Jain Additional Solicitor General of India, Sh.Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administrator, Ms. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor MC Chandigarh, Sh. V.P. Singh, Principal Secretary to Governor , Sh. Mandeep Singh Brar, Home Secretary Chandigarh, Sh.Amit Kumar Commissioner Municipal Corporation ,Sh. Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari, Special Secretary to Administrator UT and other officers of Chandigarh Administration.