President Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil today formally launched the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the formation of Maharashtra State at a glittering function studded with cultural extravaganza. The event held at Mumbai showcased the rich cultural diversity of Maharashtra through songs, dance drama and acrobatic shows in a programme titled 'Swarnarambh'.  Maharashtra Government announced that the Golden Jubilee Celebrations would be held over a period of two years, and several developmental and welfare measures will be announced. A new cultural policy is also in the offing.

Congratulating Maharashtra for the progress it has achieved over the last 50 years, President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil said that the state should continue to keep up the pace of development and remain in forefront. The President however, expressed concern over farmer's suicides amidst overall development taking place in the state. "I hope the situation will improve and our farmers will not take this path in future" she said.

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She listed the contribution of Maharashtra in the fields of education, science & technology, sports and entertainment. "The roots of India's independence movements are in Maharashtra" the President said elaborating on the central role played by Mumbai in the formation of Indian National Congress and during the Quit India Movement in 1942. Smt.Patil also made a special mention of the social reforms movement in Maharashtra spearheaded Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule,  Maharashi Karve, Sant Gadge baba, Tukdoji Maharaj, Baba Amte and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. She said the Dalit literature developed in Maharashtra has been a source of inspiration for other similar movements in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada etc.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mahrashtra Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Chavan, said that his government will continue to formulate pro-developmental policies and will not yield to divisive forces.

The state of Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960, integrating the Marathi speaking areas of erstwhile Bombay Presidency, princely states and Vidarbha. 105 people had martyred their life in achieving their goal of forming 'Samyukta Maharashtra'.  An impressive stone statue of 'Martyrs with a flame' at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai commemorates the martyrdom of the brave people who laid their life for the formation of Maharashtra / MD/KMN

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