Governor Inaugurates West Bengal Foundation Day at Lok Bhavan
Telangana Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla inaugurated the West Bengal Foundation Day celebrations on June 20, 2026, at Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad. The event, organized by Lok Bhavan Telangana, aimed to foster national unity by showcasing the cultural heritage of West Bengal alongside Telangana's local traditions.
Governor Shukla paid tribute to West Bengal's legacy, highlighting its contributions to India's cultural, intellectual, and spiritual landscape. He emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties between Bengal and Telangana, aligning with the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2015.
Vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
Addressing the gathering, Governor Shukla stated, "The core essence of our nation lies in its 'Unity in Diversity.' This initiative is designed to foster structured engagement between different states and Union Territories, thereby strengthening the emotional bonds between people of diverse backgrounds." He commended Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad, for its proactive role in realizing this national vision by creating a harmonious platform for cultural assimilation.
The celebrations featured traditional Bengali music, dance performances, crafts, and cuisine, highlighting the spirit of cross-cultural appreciation. The event successfully facilitated the blending of distinct cultural lifestyles, languages, and ethos with Telangana's local cultural fabric.
Abhijeeth Bhattacharjee Felicitates the Governor
Abhijeeth Bhattacharjee, a renowned social entrepreneur and Co-convenor of Culture Language Indian Connection (CLIC), delivered a welcome address and formally felicitated Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on behalf of the Telangana Bengali community. Bhattacharjee remarked, "It's a very proud moment for me to get associated with Lok Bhavan Hyderabad and organize the West Bengal Foundation Day activity by mobilizing the Bengali Community of Hyderabad and especially people who had immensely contributed to the growth of Telangana State."
He noted that Bengalis, numbering around 6-7 lakh in Hyderabad, have significantly contributed to sectors like IT and industry, helping make Telangana one of the most progressive and prosperous states in India in terms of GDP and other societal benchmarks.
Dignitaries and Cultural Performances
Other dignitaries included Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court, Shri M. Dana Kishore, Special Chief Secretary to the Governor, and Ms Deboshmita Chattopadhyay Banerjee, IRPFS, Head of Operational Security, Indian Railways. Justice Bhattacharya spoke about the cultural values shared between Telangana and West Bengal, noting that many young people from West Bengal are choosing Telangana as their home and contributing to its growth.
Shri M. Dana Kishore highlighted the scope of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat concept, emphasizing true assimilation of culture and ethos as the essence of India's unity in diversity. He also mentioned how Bengali culture has influenced the lives of Indians. The event was attended by Bengali dignitaries, Raj Bhavan officers, staff, and members of the Bengali community in Hyderabad.
