Itanagar, Jun 20: In the true spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the Foundation Day of West Bengal was celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural splendour at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on Friday.
The event was graced by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik and his better half Anagha Parnaik, who participated warmly alongside members of the Bengali and Gorkha communities of the state.
Extending greetings on the occasion, the Governor conveyed his best wishes to the people of West Bengal on their Statehood Day and congratulated the Bengali and Gorkha communities for their longstanding contributions to the progress of Arunachal Pradesh.
Highlighting the legacy of West Bengal, the Governor described it as a land of revolutionary ideas and reformist leaders. He recalled the contributions of great social reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who fought against regressive practices like sati and dowry. The Governor noted that West Bengal continues to be a beacon of intellectual, social, and cultural enlightenment.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Bengali and Gorkha residents in Arunachal Pradesh in enriching the state’s social fabric and educational landscape, particularly through institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas.
The Governor emphasized the value of cultural exchange in fostering national unity and encouraged students to embrace India’s diverse traditions to build empathy and mutual respect.
The celebration featured a vibrant cultural programme, including a traditional Bengali folk dance ‘Aaj Dhaner Khete’ and the patriotic song ‘Dhono Dhanye Pushpe Bhora’ by students of Nrityangan Dance & Music Academy, Itanagar.
A spirited Gorkhali dance ‘Kadam Chala’ was performed by local Gorkha artists, reflecting the vibrant Gorkha tradition. Adding a local flavour, students of PM SHRI Arunodaya School, Itanagar, presented the Arunachali folk dance ‘Ngo Sisang ne Dolung Lokke Mimum’.
A heartwarming highlight was the performance of the Bengali wedding folk dance, ‘Sohag Chand Bodoni Dhoni’, by tribal students Techi Ajum (VKV Itanagar) and Tarh Dai (KV Itanagar), reflecting cultural integration.
The event was also attended by students and sisters from Sacred Heart Convent & Day Care, Itanagar, as special guests of the Governor. A message from West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose was also read out during the event.
The programme concluded with a ‘high tea’ hosted by the Governor and his wife, who warmly interacted with community members and appreciated their efforts in preserving and promoting their cultural identity. The event was a fitting tribute to the spirit of unity in diversity and a reaffirmation of Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to inclusive and harmonious coexistence.