ITANAGAR, May 2: The State Foundation Day of Gujarat and Maharashtra, along with the Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural vibrancy at the Arunachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan here on Friday.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik, along with his wife Anagha Parnaik, graced the occasion. The event witnessed the participation of a large number of people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh residing in the state. It was organized in the spirit of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative to promote national integration and cultural exchange.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Parnaik extended warm greetings to the people of the three states on their respective Statehood Days. He acknowledged their valuable contributions to the growth and development of Arunachal Pradesh and expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the state for their continued support across various sectors.
Highlighting the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, the Governor said such celebrations provide a meaningful platform for fostering mutual respect, understanding, and unity among diverse communities. He noted that these initiatives help people share experiences, understand aspirations, and address challenges faced while living away from their native states, thereby strengthening the spirit of nationalism and collective belonging.
Reflecting on historical and cultural ties, the Governor recalled the deep-rooted mythological connections with Gujarat and appreciated the significant contributions of people from Maharashtra in the social development of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in the post-Sino-India War period, when national solidarity played a key role in rebuilding communities.
The programme featured a vibrant array of cultural performances showcasing India’s diversity. Students of Rajiv Gandhi University presented a traditional Arunachali group dance depicting indigenous heritage. This was followed by a classical Lavani performance by Manami Gamlin of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Nirjuli. Students of CK Bliss School of Fine Arts presented energetic Lavani and Garba performances, while the Tippani dance of Gujarat was performed by students of Nrityangan. Folk songs from Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh added a melodious touch to the celebration.
Young speakers from Let's Speak Arunachal – Banu Rigia, Anya Sonam, and Anya Maying – delivered engaging prologues, highlighting the cultural richness of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Children from K Blooming Early Intervention and Learning Centre attended the programme as special guests of the Governor.
As part of the celebrations, the Governor and his better half hosted a High Tea in honour of the participants. Audiovisual messages from the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, and the Governor of Maharashtra, Jishnu Dev Varma, were also screened on the occasion.
The event concluded on a note of unity, celebrating India’s rich cultural diversity while reinforcing the spirit of “unity in diversity.”