The whole world celebrates May 1 as an International Labour day; however, very few people know that May 1 is also celebrated as 'Maharashtra Day' and 'Gujarat Day'. The first day of May is significant for both the states as it was on May 1 when both the existing states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed. Therefore, even if the whole world celebrates May 1 as Labour Day, the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrate a much bigger event.
The entire globe celebrates the 1st of May as International Labour Day every year. However, many are unaware that the 1st of May is also celebrated as 'Maharashtra Day' and Gujarat Day'. The day is significant for both the states, that is Maharashtra as well as Gujarat as on the first of May, both the states were formed. Read on to know more details about Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day:
Formation of Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day
The reason why people celebrate the first of May is celebrated as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day is the date of the formation of the states. On the first of May, the existing state of Maharashtra was formed. Before the establishment of the state, then known as Bombay, people from this region communicated in several languages like Marathi, Kutchi, Gujarati, and Konkani. However, later, The Sanyukt Maharashtra Andolan put forth their demand of forming a separate state.
There were various protests held with aims to fulfil their demand. The protest continued till the year 1960 and finally, in the same year, that is 1960, an act was passed by the Parliament of India. The act was called the Bombay Reorganization Act and it was passed with aims to divide the multilingual state of existing Mumbai, then known as Bombay, into two states Gujarat and Maharashtra. The act was passed and legislation became effective on the first of May, 1960.
History's roll in making of Gujarat and Maharashtra:
The reason why May 1 is celebrated as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day in both the respective states is that on this day, 57 years ago, the existing state of Maharashtra was formed. The then Bombay had people speaking various languages like Marathi, Gujarati, Kutchi, and Konkani, however, it did not work out. And, the Sanyukt Maharashtra Andolan began demanding a separate state.The protest continued till 1960 and in the same year, the Bombay Reorganization Act was passed by India's Parliament to divide the multilingual state of Bombay into Gujarat and Maharashtra. The legislation came into effect on May 1, 1960.
Here's how Maharashtra and Gujarat Day is celebrated:
Maharashtra Day is celebrated with a parade at Shivaji Park, Dadar. The state governor, state reserve police force, Mumbai police, etc are all a part of the parade. Various cultural events also take place across Maharashtra. The day is also seen as a public holiday and all the schools, bank, government offices remain closed. Many notable personalities with the academic background, police officials, sportsmen, and doctors are awarded for their notable contribution.
In Gujarat, the day is celebrated across the state with parades and other government events. The parade takes place on the Sabarmati Waterfall in Ahmadabad.
May 1 is celebrated as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day. In 1960, the Bombay Reorganization Act was passed by India’s Parliament to divide the multilingual state of Bombay into Gujarat and Maharashtra. The legislation came into effect on May 1, 1960. The state of Bombay formerly comprised of speakers of different languages such as Marathi, Gujarati, Konkani, and Kutchi. During the mid-1950s, a movement known as the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti started demanding a separate Marathi-speaking state while Mahagujarat Movement aimed at the formation of a state for Gujarati-speaking people. The movements ended with the creation of the Bombay Reorganization Act. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 defined boundaries for the states within India on the basis of languages. The was at the forefront of the movement to divide the Bombay State into two states; one composed of areas where people primarily spoke Gujarati and Kutchhi and the other where people primarily spoke Marathi and Konkani. The state of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed as a result of the Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti movement according to the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 May 1960, hence the reason of annual celebration. Maharashtra: Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis Governor: CH Vidyasagar Rao Capital: Mumbai Gujarat: Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani Governor: Om Prakash Kohli Capital: Gandhinagar
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