Maharashtra Day

Maharashtra Day, commonly known as Maharashtra Din (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र दिन) is a state holiday[1] in the Indian state of Maharashtra, commemorating the formation of the state of Maharashtra[2] United with the Mumbai on 1 May 1960.[1] Maharashtra Day is commonly associated with parades and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of Maharashtra. It is celebrated to commemorate the creation of a Marathi speaking state of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Day
Jawaharlal Nehru, Yashwantrao Chavan and Sri Prakasa unveiling a map of the new state of Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, on 1 May 1960
Also calledMaharashtra Din
Observed byMaharashtra, India
SignificanceThe day the state of Maharashtra was formed by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960
CelebrationsParades
Date1 May
FrequencyAnnual

Background

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 defined boundaries for the states within India on the basis of languages.[3] The Bombay State that was formed as a consequence of this act, however, was composed of different areas where different languages were spoken; Marathi, Gujarati, Kutchi and Konkani. The Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti was at the forefront of the movement to divide the Bombay State into two states; one composed of areas where people primarily spoke Gujarati and Kutchhi and the other where people primarily spoke Marathi and Konkani.[4][5]

The state of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed as a result of this movement according to the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 May 1960,[6] hence the reason of annual celebration.

Observance

Every year the Government of Maharashtra issues a notification declaring the 1st of May to be a public holiday to be celebrated as Maharashtra Day. This holiday applies to all the schools, offices and companies under the jurisdiction of the State and central Government celebrate this day by organising various programmes.[7]

Customs

Every year a parade is held at Shivaji Park where the Governor of Maharashtra makes a speech.

Liquor sales to Indians are prohibited on this day across Maharashtra, excluding foreigners.[8]

Unique or historical celebrations

The Golden Jubilee celebrations for Maharashtra Day were conducted on 1 May 2011 across Maharashtra.[9][10]

Inaugurations and launching of new projects and schemes

In Maharashtra state government and private sector inaugurates and launches various new projects and schemes on 1 May. Annual celebrations of such institutions and projects are also held on Maharashtra Day.

The Marathi language Wikipedia was started on 1 May 2003.

References
  1. "Public Holidays in Maharashtra, India in 2014 – Office Holidays". www.officeholidays.com.
  2. "Maharashtra Day – Maharashtra Day Celebration". www.maharashtratourism.net.
  3. "THE STATES REORGANISATION ACT, 1956". Government of India. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  4. Guha, Ramachandra (2008). India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy. Harper Perennial. p. 320.
  5. Kaminsky, Arnold P.; Long, Roger D. (23 September 2011). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic. ABC-CLIO. p. 440. ISBN 978-0-313-37462-3. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  6. "THE BOMBAY RE-ORGANISATION ACT, 1960 No.11 OF 1960". Government of India. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  7. "Public Holiday – 2015" (PDF). Government of Maharashtra. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  8. "List of dry days to be followed by retail licensee every year". Commissionarate of State Excise, Maharashtra State. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  9. "Maharashtra's golden jubilee grand finale on Monday". The Times of India. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  10. "Maharashtra: Political parties gear up for a grand golden jubilee day". rediff.com. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
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