Indian community starts celebrating state days

PIC: Shri Ravi Shankar, India's High Commissioner to Uganda (centre) chatting with guests at the Rajasthan Divas celebrations (Credit: Ashraf Kasirye)

CELEBRATIONS OF INDIA STATE DAYS
   
KAMPALA - In a first, the High Commission of India in Kampala, in conjunction with the Indian Association of Uganda has started celebrating state days in Uganda.

The new initiative aims at showcasing the rich cultural heritage and traditions, tourism potentials of India's states.

On the evening of Saturday, March 17, the High Commission hosted the Rajasthan Day celebrations, with the rich heritage of India's largest state showcased. The celebrations attracted the Indian community, indigenous Ugandans and there were even a few Chinese in attendance.

The audience was treated to rich cultural dances from the Indian state.

"The idea is to celebrate the foundation days or the closest date to these days depending on convenience. When I first discussed this idea with embassy officials, I was not sure whether it would ‘sell' or not. People are busy. I am delighted to see your response," said Shri Ravi Shankar, India's High Commissioner to Uganda.

These celebrations were held with conjunction with the Rajasthan Association of Kampala, which is under the umbrella of the Indian Association of Uganda.

The Bihar State Day was the first to be celebrated. The celebrations are known as the "State Diwas" or "Rajya Diwas".

Sachin Shah, the chairman of the Rajasthan Association of Uganda gave an audience a brief history of Rajasthan.

"Rajasthan was once called Rajputana by the British Empire. On March 30, 1949, after merging with the dominion of India, was then called Rajasthan. It is the largest state in India by land area; the population is approximately 68 million and has a literacy rate of 67%," he said.

Alongside Rajasthan and Bihar, other famous states in India are Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Goa, Punjab, Himachal and Pradesh.