50th Maharashtra Day celebrated

Tributes were paid to the 105 martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of 'Samyukta Maharashtra' on the occasion of the 50th Maharashtra Foundation Day on Friday. Governor SC Jamir inspected the ceremonial parade, unfurled the National Flag and delivered the Maharashtra Day message.

In his message, the governor said, “Over the past five decades, Maharashtra has emerged as a leading state in terms of socio-economic progress and development. It has pioneered several public-oriented schemes and programmes for the welfare of the poor.”

Expressing satisfaction over agricultural and industrial growth of the state, he said, “It has attracted foreign direct investment worth Rs75,000 crore in the state.” The governor participated in

Maharashtra Day celebrations organised by mayor Shubha Raul at her residence.
Chief minister Ashok Chavan garlanded the ‘Hutatma Smarak’ at Hutatma Chowk.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, along with his party workers, also visited the Smarak and paid tributes to the martyrs.

Hundreds of workers from Shramik Kamgar Sanghatana also visited the place and placed red flags as a mark of solidarity.

“Now-a-days, much is talked about rights of Marathi people but we want the political parties to take some action instead of making hollow promises,” secretary of the Sanghatana, Uday Bhat, said.

The state came into existence on May 1, 1960, on linguistic grounds.

Meanwhile, in Nashik, deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal unfurled the tricolour at police parade grounds. Revenue commissioner Sanjay Chahande, special IG SP Gupta, collector P Velrasu and DSP Nikhil Gupta were present on the occasion, an official release said.