Governor Mangubhai Patel said that the celebration of State Foundation Day reflects the spirit of unity and embodies the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He emphasized that understanding the country’s rich diversity inspires dialogue and cooperation among different cultures. The Governor said that Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Abhiyan resulted from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s broad and visionary thinking and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for launching this initiative. He called upon the people of the country to respect the diversity of the states and promote the shared cultural heritage to further strengthen India’s unity.
Governor Mangubhai Patel was addressing the joint Foundation Day celebrations of Telangana and West Bengal, held at the Sandipani Auditorium of Raj Bhavan. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor Shri K.C. Gupta, Additional Secretary Shri Umashankar Bhargava, along with residents of both states living in Madhya Pradesh, were present.
Governor Mangubhai Patel said that India is a diverse and multicultural nation, enriched by the distinct cultures, languages, histories, and traditions of its various states. This unity in diversity has given India its unique identity on the global stage. He emphasized that understanding the rich cultural heritage of different states and recognizing the underlying unity within this diversity is essential to building a stronger and greater India. Highlighting the cultural richness of Telangana and Bengal, the Governor said that their unity in diversity is reflected in their vibrant art, dance, music, and festivals. While each has its distinct folk art and tribal traditions, cultural similarities bind them together. For example, Bengal celebrates Kali Puja, while Telangana observes the traditional festival of Bonalu to worship Goddess Mahakali. Similarly, the festival of Bathukamma is celebrated with great enthusiasm during Navratri in Telangana, while in Bengal, it is observed as Durga Puja.
Governor Mangubhai Patel said that alongside revolutionaries like Khudiram Bose, Surya Sen, Prafulla Chaki, Bagha Jatin, and Nalini Das from Eastern India, revolutionaries such as Alluri Sitaram Raju and Pingali Venkaiah from Southern India also raised their voices against British rule with equal dedication and sacrifice. He noted that while our national song, Vande Mataram, national anthem Jana Gana Mana, and the rousing national slogan Jai Hind are contributions from the East, the design of the national flag, the Tricolour, is the invaluable contribution of Pingali Venkaiah from the South. As the first citizen of Madhya Pradesh, he extended his heartfelt greetings on the Foundation Day of Telangana and West Bengal. He appreciated the unique initiative of celebrating together the Foundation Day of India’s youngest state, Telangana, and one of its oldest states, West Bengal. The Governor also presented certificates of appreciation to the artists who participated in the cultural performances and extended his best wishes for their bright future.
Governor Mangubhai Patel was felicitated by the representatives of both states according to the traditions of their respective regions. During the programme, a video message from Telangana Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma and a message from West Bengal Governor Shri C.V. Ananda Bose were presented. A short film showcasing the heritage and achievements of Telangana and West Bengal was also screened. Additionally, a short film highlighting the history, culture, and progress of Madhya Pradesh was shown on the occasion.
At the beginning of the programme, Governor Mangubhai Patel was welcomed with traditional artwork by Shri Kishore Naidu from Telugu Sangam Bhopal and Shri Rambabu Padala, President of Balaji Mandir, BHEL Bhopal. Shri N. Banerjee, President of the Bengali Association Bhopal, and Shri Salil Chatterjee, Secretary, welcomed him with an artwork crafted from Bengal’s famous shola paper. Smt. Vidya Kolli, member of Telugu Sangam Bhopal, delivered the welcome address, while Shri N. Banerjee expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bengali Association Bhopal.
Cultural presentations showcasing the rich art, culture, and history of both states were held before Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel during the joint Foundation Day celebrations. Dance artists from Telangana, under the direction of Guru Manjumani, gave captivating performances. The devotional presentations of Bathukamma, Brahmam Okate, and Nag Nagam dances infused the atmosphere with a spiritual essence. Representatives of the Bengali Association from T.T. Nagar, Saket Nagar, and Dakshineshwar Kalibari presented songs and dances based on Bengal’s revolutionary struggle, the Swadeshi movement, and patriotic compositions by poets Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rajanikanta Sen, Sudip Dasgupta, Jeevan Anand, and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, received enthusiastic applause from the audience. Artists of all age groups participated in these vibrant performances. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the participating cultural teams. Guests also enjoyed a variety of traditional delicacies from both Telangana and Bengal on the occasion.