Today, Punjab Raj Bhavan celebrated the Foundation Day of Punjab and Chandigarh. On this occasion, the foundation day of State of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and UT’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puducherry was also celebrated.
This event was celebrated under the “Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat” programme of the Government of India, which aims to connect the people of the entire country with each other. The celebration highlighted India’s vibrant cultures, diverse languages, rich histories, and enduring traditions, which form the foundation of our nation’s strength and resilience.
On the occasion, students from the Post Graduate Government College for Girls-11 presented Shiv Stuti, Giddha and Luddi while the students of Chandigarh University performed Haryanvi dance, Mohiniyattam and Bhangra. Performances on Bharatnatyam and Tamil folk by the Chandigarh Tamil Sangam and Karnataka ‘Mahabharat’ performance by Kannad Sangha Chandigarh also enthralled the audience.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Union Territory, Chandigarh said that “Unity in Diversity” is the identity of India, which has been formed by the rich history of freedom struggle and cultural development based on the principles of diverse language, culture, religion, non-violence and justice. The spirit of mutual understanding of the people enables unity in diversity, which comes out as a flame of nationalism and it needs to be nurtured in the future also.
Sh. Kataria remarked that now the Statehood Day has now become as special as the national festival. He said that the celebration of State Foundation Days in Punjab Raj Bhavan since the last one year, is a symbol of our country’s social, economic and cultural development which inspires us to walk on the path of unity, self-pride and progress. All the states of the country are blessed with a great culture and hardworking people who have contributed to national progress in various fields. He said that this country is one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Any soldier who lays down his life for the country, is a martyr and hero of whole country, irrespective of the state he was born in. On this occasion, the Governor called upon all to work unitedly to participate in the progress of the state and the nation.
Prominent people present on the occasion included Punjab Chief Secretary Sh. K A P Sinha, Advisor Administrator UT Chandigarh, Sh. Rajeev Verma, DGP Punjab, Sh. Gaurav Yadhav, ACS to Governor, Sh. K Siva Prasad, ACS Defence Services Welfare Punjab, Sh. J M Balamurgan, Mayor UT Chandigarh, Mr. Kuldeep Kumar, Additional Solicitor General of India, Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Secretary cum Chief Executive, Indian Red Cross, Sh. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Sh. Mandeep Singh Brar, Home Secretary UT, Sh. Raj Kumar Singh, IGP UT, Smt. Prerna Puri, Secretary Education UT, Sh. Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari, Secretary Vigilance UT, Sh. Hari Kallikkat, Secretary I.T., Sh. Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Chandigarh along with other officials of Chandigarh Administration and Punjab Government. Guests from different spheres of life and different ethnicity witnessed the event.
