Panaji: A colourful cultural event was held at the New Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan to mark the Foundation Day of several States and Union Territories. Governor P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju was present for the celebration, which honoured the formation of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, along with Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
The programme began with a traditional Goan Samai Nritya performed by Shree Dada Katamgal Pangad. Other cultural performances included Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh, Mohiniyattam from Kerala, Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, Yakshagana from Karnataka and Bhangra from Punjab. A recorded message from the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavindra Gupta, was played during the event. He spoke about the importance of promoting unity and understanding among people from different States and UTs, in line with the idea of strengthening national integration.
The Foundation Day celebration was held under the national initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, which aims to foster cultural exchange and unity across India.
Also present were the Director of Art and Culture, Shri Vivek Naik, along with heads and representatives of various regional associations and sangams. The event was compered by Ms Siddhi Upadhya.
