Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav celebrated Gudi Padwa a day prior on Saturday and extended wishes to citizens, praying for their happiness, prosperity, and joy.
CM Yadav celebrated the festival with the large Marathi community at his residence in Bhopal, where he was welcomed with Vedic chants, a ceremonial tilak, an honorary shawl, and a coconut.
Yadav emphasized that Indian festivals are based on auspicious dates, with Gudi Padwa marking the first significant day of the year. He highlighted that this festival is known by different names across India, such as Cheti Chand and Varsh Pratipada, which showcases the rich traditions of Sanatan culture.
During the event, CM Yadav was presented with four traditional Gudis by the Marathi Sahitya Academy, Shri Sant Seva Sangh Pune, Piplani Ganesh Mandal Bhopal, and Kolar Maharashtra Mandal Bhopal. He also unveiled 'Bhojpatra,' a magazine published by the Madhya Pradesh Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Bhopal.
He acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in reviving India's cultural heritage and emphasized that festivals should be celebrated with enthusiasm, reflecting the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. The government is working towards ensuring that Indian traditions are observed with joy and grandeur.
Meanwhile, CM Yadav also participated in the Ghibli trend which has taken the internet by storm.
CM highlights Samrat Vikramaditya’s legacy
CM Yadav also spoke about Vikramotsav, which aims to highlight the life and legacy of Samrat Vikramaditya. He mentioned the contributions of historical figures like Samrat Vikramaditya and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose lives inspire self-pride and strong leadership.
Explaining the distinction between festivals and religious observances (Paryavas), CM Yadav noted that fasting days like Janmashtami, Ram Navami, and Navratri are Paryavas, while celebrations such as Holi and Diwali are festivals. He emphasized the importance of using appropriate greetings for different occasions and appreciated the richness of Indian languages in expressing emotions distinctly.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including former Jabalpur Mayor and Director of the Marathi Sahitya Academy Santosh Godbole, Abhijit Deshmukh, Neelima Deshpande, and community members from Rewa, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Vidisha.
