474/2024-2025

Aizawl, the 20th February, 2025: In the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, the Mizoram Raj Bhavan today hosted the foundation day celebration of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh at the Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan in Aizawl.

Participating in the event, Governor General (Dr.) VK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd) extended his greetings and best wishes to the people of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. He said that both states are beautiful and prosperous where diverse tribal communities coexist harmoniously despite their different cultures and traditions. He stressed the importance of progressing as a state beyond ethnic divisions and urged the citizens to continue fostering unity and cooperation. While mentioning the importance of preserving one's own culture and tradition, he said that "Culture binds us, takes us forward and is our pride and identity,".

The Governor also pointed out that the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme aims to foster unity among India's diverse communities and further said that "Diversity is not meant to seperate people but the diversity is meant to unite people so that we can understand each other and march ahead as a country on the path of progress,". Referring to the nation's goal of becoming a strong and self-reliant country i.e Vikshit Bharat by 2047, he urged the people to commit wholeheartedly to this vision and contribute actively to achieving it.

At today's foundation day celebration, Pi Lalhruaitluangi, Additional PS to the Governor, highlighted the purpose of the program. Dr. Tawnenga, Principal of Mizoram Christian College (MCC) and Mr. Camdir Tabia Tegi, Student from Mizoram University (MZU) delivered a short speech on behalf of the state of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh respectively. Students from Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences (RIPANS) added vibrancy to the occasion with beautiful traditional dance performances. After the function, the Governor interacted with students and teachers from the State of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Mizoram was declared as a separate UT in 1972 under the Northeast Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. It became the 23rd State of India after the 53rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution in  1986. In earlier days, Arunachal Pradesh was called North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). In 1972, NEFA became a Union Territory, on February 20, 1987, it became a full-fledged state and became the 24th State of Union India after the 55th Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1986.

The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme, aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them. In the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat program, the Foundation Day celebrations of various states and union territories across India are organized at the Raj Bhavan in Mizoram, under the auspices of the Governor, starting from June 2023.