A special ‘Milan Programme’ was organised at Raj Bhavan, Shimla, to commemorate the Foundation Day of 17 States and Union Territories. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, the Chief Guest, engaged with citizens from these States residing in Himachal Pradesh.
The event saw participation from representatives of Delhi, Jharkhand, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Ladakh, and Chandigarh.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the Milan Programme served as a platform to unite citizens from across the country while showcasing the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He emphasized that such initiatives allow people to celebrate their distinct cultural heritage, languages, traditions, and lifestyles, thereby reinforcing the country’s unity in diversity.
“India is a confluence of many cultures, and this event reflects our collective commitment to preserving and promoting this unity,” he added. He further highlighted that the programme aims to foster harmony among the diverse communities living in the State.
Citizens from various States and Union Territories shared their experiences and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate their cultural identities in Himachal Pradesh, making the occasion a vibrant celebration of India’s cultural diversity.




