Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday wished the people of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala on the Formation Day of their states. The seven states were granted statehood on November 1 in different years.
Gandhi shared his wishes on Facebook in both Hindi and English. He said (to the Hindi speaking states), “On the Foundation day of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Haryana beat wishes to all the state residents. We became India with the cooperation and progress of each and every state. Let’s all pledge to make our states rich and vibrant.”
He greeted Karnataka and Kerala as well as the Union Territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep in English. “My best wishes to the people of Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry on the state Formation day. The idea of India celebrates our collective strength in diversity. On this occasion, I honour the unsung heroes whose struggles established the Indian states and cemented our common bonds.”
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi was scheduled to inaugurate the Chhattisgarh State Festival in Raipur on Friday but she has cancelled her programme due to poor health.
Earlier, known as the State of Mysore, Karnataka came into being on November 1, 1973. November 1 is celebrated as ‘Kerala Piravi Dinam’ in the state. Today Kerala is celebrating its 64th foundation day today. The state of Chhattisgarh was carved out of the state of Madhya Pradesh on Nov 1, 2000. Haryana and Punjab too celebrate their Formation Day on November 1. Rajasthan, the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population too was reorganised on November 1, 1956. Madhya Pradesh too was formed on November 1, 1956.