Celebrating the Golden Day for Gujarat and Maharashtra

Celebrating the Golden Day for Gujarat and Maharashtra

- in Kanchan Banerjee
0
Comments Off on Celebrating the Golden Day for Gujarat and Maharashtra

This issue of our magazine is dedicated to two great states of India: Gujarat and Maharashtra. When the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was composed, the first two regions mentioned in it were Punjab and Sindh. On 15th August 1947, more than half of Punjab and whole of Sindh were no more within Indian bounds. Then follow Gujarat and Maratha. 50 years for a nation’s history is like a blink of an eye. Yet, 50 years can have a grand meaning for the nation. Though the British left the Indian economy and social harmony in smithereens, the nation today has trouced even monumental challenges.

Gujarat has over 50 million people (5% of India’s population) and contributes 21% of exports and 13% of India’s industrial production. The state has the distinction of achieving the highest GDPover 11%in the country.

As part of the Indus-Saraswati civilization, Dholavira and Gola Dhoro were highly developed urban centers of the region in ancient times. Lothal had the largest port of that period and conducted business world wide. In recent times, Gujarat has gifted some of the most influential people to India. Though the field of action for Jamshedji Tata was Maharashtra, he was born in Gujarat. Mahatma Gandhi’s name comes next, followed by Jinnah, the key player in the partition of India and the unfortunate division of people of the sub-continent.

However, when the call came, another great individual, Iron Man Sardar Patel, stepped up to create a strong and ‘United Republic of India’ almost single handedly. Dhirubhai Ambani, whose name is synonymous with the Reliance industries, hailed from Gujarat. Gujarat also gave the nation a Prime Minister, Morarji Desai. Today, the leadership of Narendra Modi is known beyond Indian borders. He has converted the region into a symbol of progress, leading from the front in transforming India into a ‘developed’ nation. Modi’s Gujarat and his leadership stand as role-models not only for other Indian states, but also for many other countries around the globe.

Maharashtra, with about 97 million people (second largest in the country), is India’s leading industrial state contributing 15% of national industrial output and over 40% of the national revenue. The Ajanta and Ellora murals showcase the ancient traditions and arts of the country. Tukaram, Dhaneswar, Ramdas, and Sai Baba are only a handful of the great spiritual masters of Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji’s memory lingers in every speck of dust of the state. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi showed the world that Indian women can be equally if not more capable of holding onto their own while fighting an enemy.

Gradually, Mumbai became the gateway to India in many ways. Today, it is the business capital and the entertainment capital of the country. The recent Mumbai terror attacks and the portrayal of the city in the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ may have marred the image of Maharashtra, but the region and its people are known since the old days for their strength and valor. While the famous Salt March started in Gujarat, it may be argued that the culmination of the Freedom Movement occurred in Mumbai with the Naval Revolt, which, many say, was the final nail in the coffin for the British. Tilak, Gokhale, Savarkar, Vinoba Bhave, Ambedkar, Narlikar, Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar all these names have added to the glory of the country. More recently, it was from Maharashtra that the current President of India, Pratibha Patil, emerged.

When on May 1 this year, these two states celebrate their Golden Anniversary, it is hoped that Global Indians living in various parts of the world, especially those whose roots belong to these states, would join hands to commemorate the great moment. Their continued contributions to the progress of Gujarat and Maharashtra will, in turn, contribute to the peace and progress of not only India, but of the entire world. This is because in today’s globalized era, every action of the global citizens has a worldwide effect.

About the author

Kanchan co-founded the NGI platform and portal in 2008. Kanchan is a prominent NRI living in Boston, USA for over 3 decades. His interests include History, Neurology, Yoga, Politics and Future of mankind. His top hobbies are travelling, cooking and writing. Email: Kanchan@newglobalindian.com

You may also like

Do I want to be in PM Modi’s pocket?

Let me tell you the saga of my