Why is 1st May celebrated as Maharashtra Day?
Maharashtra Day honours the state’s creation in 1960. Following several rallies and demonstrations in favour of the new state, Maharashtra was officially established on May 1, 1960, thanks to the Bombay Reorganisation Act.
In actuality, the Act divided the former Bombay State into two new states: Gujarat for individuals whose native tongue is Gujarati and Maharashtra for those who speak Marathi. Both nations went on to develop and become commercial centres.
Today, Maharashtra Day, which coincides with International Labour Day, is observed as a regional public holiday. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 allowed the provinces and princely states to be reorganised into the Union of India after the country was emancipated from colonial control. According to the Act, restructuring should be based on regional linguistic diversity.
Bombay State was first established for those who spoke Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, and Kutchi.
Speaking Konkani and Marathi, as well as Gujarati and Kuchi, two large communities arose. The urge to split the Bombay State in half was sparked by this. The Bombay Reorganisation Act was approved by the Parliament in April 1960 in order to accomplish this.
Therefore, Maharashtra Day honors not just the state’s existence but also the cultural and historical heritage of the Maharashtrian people.
Celebrations on this day
The day is honoured throughout the two states with several parades, activities, and ceremonies. The main event is held in Maharashtra at Shivaji Park in Dadar. The Sabarmati Waterfalls in Gujarat serve as the site of the major event. The occasions emphasise the traditions and cultures of the two republics. The day has been designated a public holiday in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra hosts a number of events to commemorate the occasion. At a lavish ceremony hosted at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, the governor is there. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the festivities have been very subdued for the previous two years. Events this year could only be on a modest scale because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in some regions of the nation.
Banks, government offices, educational institutions, and other businesses are closed as people enjoy their cultures. On Maharashtra Diwas, it is supposedly illegal to sell alcohol anywhere in the state.
Along with the annual parades, the residents enthusiastically and passionately commemorate this day. Many individuals in the State may be seen attending musical rallies while dressed in white kurtas and saffron turbans.
Women are also decked out in their finest traditional costumes and jewellery at the same time. The images of people riding bullet motorbikes and carrying saffron flags have come to represent Maharashtra Day and the rhythms of Nashik Dhol.
