The state government is all set to organise state-wide Sanskriti Divas to celebrate Raksha bandhan on Monday.
The state Youth Services and Sports department will host the programme following the directions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The state government had been organising the programme for the past few years in the backdrop of Raksha Bandhan ceremony organised by Rabindranath Tagore as a mark of togetherness between Hindus and Muslims when the British decided to divide Bengal in 1905. It was also a mark of a united protest against the British Raj.
The programme organised by the state government bears a special significance when there had been repeated attempts to disturb the peace and harmony of Bengal.
There were repeated attempts of inciting tension by spreading rumours. The Chief Minister had criticised such moves and the police too took necessary steps to check the spread of rumours besides creating awareness about its ill effects.
On Monday, the state Youth Services and Sports department will organise a programme at Esplanade.
It will be inaugurated by minister of the department Aroop Biswas. The minister of state for Youth Services and Sports department Laxmi Ratan Shukla will also be present.
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Jhulan Goswami and English Channel winner Sayani Das will also be present at the programme.
At the same time, programmes on Sanskriti Divas will also be held in 341 Blocks, 117 municipalities, six Municipal Corporations and in all the 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
The state government has urged the masses to be a part of the programme. It will be a mark of harmony and peace by uniting one and all.
It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister spread the message of peace and
harmony from every public meetings that she held recently and urged people to stand united and work together to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Describing Raksha bandhan as a festival which strengthens social unity and national integrity, Bengal
Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Sunday conveyed his heartiest greetings and
good wishes to the people of the state on the eve of the occasion.
"The festival of Rakshabandhan symbolises the deep love between a sister and a brother strengthens the support base of relationship," Tripathi said in a statement released from his official residence on Sunday.
"All brothers and sisters observe the ceremony with affection, respect, faith and deep wish for mutual wellness," he was quoted as saying in the message.
The Governor also expressed his confidence that "successful observation of this unique tradition of Indian culture will also strengthen social unity and national integrity", the statement stated.
Raksha bandhan or Rakhi is celebrated throughout India as a symbol of love and responsibility between brothers and sisters.