Ahmedabad, October 27: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in the grand celebration of Chhath Puja Mahaparv held in Ahmedabad and extended greetings to everyone on the occasion of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the construction of the magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya has amplified the festive spirit and joy of Diwali. He added that the Prime Minister’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” is reflected through the celebration of such festivals that unite the nation.
CM Patel congratulated the organizers of the Chhath festival and noted that while people in Gujarat resume work after Labh Pancham, families in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Purvanchal observe Chhath Puja to worship the Sun God.
He emphasized, “Chhath Puja is the only festival where devotees worship the setting sun, unlike other rituals that honor the rising sun.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, is making efforts to include Chhath Puja in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Speaking on the deep cultural connection between Gujarat and Bihar, CM Patel said, “Bihar is the land of Buddha, and Gujarat has preserved the Buddhist heritage. Vadnagar, the birthplace of Prime Minister Modi, was once a prominent center of Buddhist learning and is now being developed as a Buddhist Museum.”
He further mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi, a son of Gujarat, began his first freedom movement from Champaran in Bihar, and later led the Salt Satyagraha from Dandi, both historic movements symbolizing unity and non-violence. He also acknowledged that many people from Bihar have made Gujarat their karmabhoomi (land of work).
CM Patel urged everyone to unite in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047 and to adopt the principles of self-reliance and Swadeshi, promoting indigenous products to realize the dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Chhath Mahaparv event was organized by the Chhath Mahaparv Samanvay Trust, Hindi Bhashi Mahasangh, and Maa Janki Seva Samiti. Families from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh residing in Ahmedabad participated enthusiastically in the celebration.
Dr. Mahadev Jha, President of the organizing committee, delivered the welcome address and highlighted that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhath Puja has transcended the boundaries of Bihar to become a festival celebrated across the nation.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included State Minister Darshana Vaghela, MLA Dr. Payal Kukrani, Deputy Mayor Jatin Patel, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, Additional Chief Secretaries M.K. Das and S.J. Haider, former Minister I.K. Jadeja, Gordhan Zadafia, Pradeep Parmar, and several families from Bihar and other states.
