FACTS OF GUJARAT & MAHARASHTRA DAY

1st may, auspicious day for both neighboring states Gujarat & Maharashtra. As we all know 1st may is celebrated as state establishment day for both the states. But do you know about this event that is 1st May,1960. What was actually happened at that time? What are some facts that we don't know? Let's know all these things. 

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.

On this day in 1960, the existing state of Maharashtra and new state Gujarat was formed from “State of Bombay”, was also known as “Province of Bombay”. The States Re organisation Act, 1956, defined boundaries for states within India on the basis of languages.  

Bombay state had people speaking various languages like marathi, kutchhi, gujarati and konkani which obviously did not work out. So the "Samyukt Maharashtra Andolan" started by Samyukt Maharashtra Samiti demanding a separate state in 1956.

The protest continued till 1960 when 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.

Gujarat draws its name from the "Gurjara" (supposedly a subtribe of the Huns), who ruled the area during the 8th and 9th centuries ce. The state assumed its present form in 1960, when the former Bombay state was divided between Maharashtra and Gujarat on the basis of language.

The name Maharashtra is believed to be originated from rathi, which means chariot driver. Maharashtra entered the recorded history in the 2nd century BC, with the construction of its first Buddhist caves. The name, Maharashtra first appeared in a 7th century in the account of a contemporary Chinese traveler, Huan Tsang. According to the recorded history, the first Hindu King ruled the state during 6th century, based in Badami.

Even as the rest of the world celebrates International Worker’s Day on May 1, Maharashtra continues to celebrate a much bigger event in its own history.

A parade is held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai where the Governor addresses a large gathering. All offices in the state remain closed and sale of alcohol is prohibited.

On this occasion, we pray that we take our glorious states Gujarat & Maharashtra to greater heights this year and also we may out from this pandemic soon.

Happy Gujarat & Maharashtra Day!!

જય જય ગરવી ગુજરાત!!

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