Maharashtra and Gujarat State Foundation Day Celebrated at Lok Bhavan, Maharashtra
Lok Bhavan Resonates with the Procession of Young Warkaris
Padma Awardees Felicitated by the Governor
Mumbai, Dt. 1 : Maharashtra Lok Bhavan premises echoed with chants of ‘Dnyaneshwar–Tukaram’ rendered by young Warkaris. The dindi procession was organised on the occasion of Maharashtra State Foundation Day celebrated in the presence of Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and his wife Sudha Dev Varma.
The State Foundation Day was celebrated as part of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative of Government of India through cultural programmes.
Padma Awardees from Maharashtra were felicitated by the Governor on this occasion.
On the occasion, the Governor stated that a nation is not merely defined by geographical boundaries, but is a beautiful confluence of diverse cultures. To understand a state, one must understand its culture. He noted that although each state has its distinct cultural identity, they are bound together by a thread of unity.
A cultural programme organised with the support of Amarvani Foundation featured performances by singer Shantanu Herlekar, singer Upagna Pandya, and artist Abhimanyu Herlekar, who presented melodious Marathi and Gujarati folk and devotional songs, earning appreciation from the Governor.
The Governor remarked that Maharashtra is the land of saints, and the work of saints promotes social equality.
On this occasion, the ‘TB-Free India’ campaign was launched at the Governor’s initiative. The Governor’s Secretary Dr Prashant Narnavare stated that the campaign will reach the slums in both urban and rural areas.
Padma Bhushan Uday Kotak, entrepreneur Padma Shri Ashok Khade, artist Padma Shri Bhiklya Dhinda, Padma Shri Jujhar Vasi, actor Padma Shri R Madhavan, late actor Padma Shri Satish Shah, and Padma Shri Satyanarayan Nuwal, among others, were felicitated by the Governor.
The cultural programme included performances of ‘Sur Niragas Ho’, Gujarati folk songs, ‘Vaishnav Jan To’, and the abhang ‘Teerth Vitthal, Kshetra Vitthal’. The traditional dance performed by young Warkaris captivated the audience.
The Secretary to the Governor Dr. Prashant Narnavare delivered the welcome address, while Protocol Officer Archana Gaikwad conducted the proceedings and delivered the vote of thanks.
Dr Madan Maharaj Gosavi, entrepreneur Nikhil Merchant, Commissioner Fisheries Prerna Deshbratar, Joint Secretary S Ramamoorthy, and Comptroller of the Governor's Households Dr Nishikant Deshpande, along with other dignitaries.
