03/11/2023
Was immensely pleased to be the chief guest at a special function at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan Goa, on Wednesday, November 1, along with Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, Hon’ble Governor of Goa. The day marks a milestone in the journey of Bharat as an independent nation and is being celebrated as State Formation Day of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. These celebrations are being held under the overarching rubric of Government of India’s unique campaign highlighting the theme of unity in diversity, “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat.”
Myself and Shri P S Sreedharan Pillai were both felicitated on this occasion and welcomed traditionally by the heads of various regional associations. It was a pleasure to interact with all of them. Present during the function were Shri A. Durga Prasad (Andhra Sangam), Shri Mallikarjun Badami (Kannada Sangha), Shri K.R.S Nair (Malayali Association), Shri Harvinder Singh Dham (Punjab) and Shri Sivaraman (Tamil Sangam). Patriotic Songs, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam dances, Nithyothasava, Keraleeyam dance and Bhangra were performed by the participants at the event.
A variety of items from regional cuisines like Mysuru Pak, Burelu, Pulihora, Chole Bhature, Lassi, Millet laddus, Topica with Green Chilli, Dried Chilli Chutney and Adaprataman Payasam were served to showcase the rich traditions, diversity and culture of these states.
As I pointed out on the occasion, Bharat is rich in distinct cultures, languages, and traditions, and showcases unity in diversity in multiple ways. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s act of bringing different princely states together as part of India and thus unifying them, was a Himalayan feat which he alone could have accomplished. Though the states were formed on a linguistic basis, one should identify oneself with the motherland first and then with their states and linguistic identity. It is important to respect the traditions of one’s state and region and remain firmly rooted to one’s mother tongue and culture. As I always say, one’s mother tongue is like one’s eyesight and English is like a pair of spectacles. Both are necessary in order to get ahead in life and achieve success. Incidentally, this is the third occasion of Raj Bhavan, Goa celebrating the foundation day after the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and West Bengal, serving an example of national integration and celebration of unity in diversity. Such occasions illustrate the rich and many-coloured threads of cultural diversity which bind our great nation and bring us all together.