Guwahati, May 1 (PTI) The statehood day of Gujarat and Maharashtra was celebrated at Lok Bhavan here on Friday, with Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya describing the importance of the occasion in fostering a deeper sense of national unity and integration.
The governor conveyed his best wishes to the citizens of both states, including those residing in Assam, an official release said.
“The celebration of state foundation days under the aegis of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative has contributed significantly toward strengthening emotional bonds, promoting cultural exchange, and enhancing mutual understanding among the country’s diverse regions,” he said.
Recalling the historical background, the governor said Gujarat and Maharashtra came into existence as separate states on May 1, 1960, following the reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis.
He described this as a landmark development in India’s democratic evolution, reflecting the people’s aspirations and reinforcing the nation’s federal structure.
Gujarat is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage and achievements in trade, commerce, and industry, and as the birthplace of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose contributions to India’s freedom movement and unity remain unparalleled, he said.
Referring to Maharashtra, Acharya said the state holds a distinguished place in the country’s cultural and economic landscape, with Mumbai as its financial capital, and a rich legacy shaped by stalwarts such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, and Dadabhai Naoroji.
He pointed out that every year, many devotees from Gujarat and Maharashtra visit Assam, particularly the revered Kamakhya Temple and the World Heritage site of Kaziranga National Park, while many citizens from Assam reside in and meaningfully contribute to the socio-economic development of the western states.
The governor said that the progress and empowerment of the states are fundamental to the nation’s progress, and that a strong, self-reliant India can only be realised through collective efforts and cooperative federalism. PTI DG BDC
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