Maharashtra Day

Maharashtra Day, commonly known as Maharashtra Din is a state holiday^[1] in the Indian state of Maharashtra, commemorating the formation of the state of Maharashtra in India^[2][3] from the division of the Bombay State 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 called	Maharashtra Din
Observed by	State of Maharashtra, National Stock Exchange of India, Bombay Stock Exchange
Significance	The day the state of Maharashtra was formed by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960
Celebrations	Parades
Date	1 May
Frequency	Annual

Background

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 defined boundaries for the states within India on the basis of languages.^[4] 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 Samyukta 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 Kutchi and the other where people primarily spoke Marathi and Konkani.^[5][6]

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,^[7] hence the reason of annual celebration.

Observance

Every year the Government of Maharashtra issues a notification declaring 1 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.^[8]

The Indian stock markets remain closed on Maharashtra Day. ^{[9] [10]}

Customs

Every year a parade is held at Shivaji Park where the Governor of Maharashtra makes a speech.^{[citation needed]}

Liquor sales to Indians are prohibited on this day across Maharashtra, excluding foreigners.^[11]

Unique or historical celebrations

The Golden Jubilee celebrations for Maharashtra Day were conducted on 1 May 2011 across Maharashtra.^[12][13]

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.^{[citation needed]}

The Marathi language Wikipedia was started on 1 May 2003.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Public Holidays in Maharashtra, India in 2014 – Office Holidays". Office Holidays.
2. "Maharashtra Day – Maharashtra Day Celebration". www.maharashtratourism.net.
3. "Why Do We Celebrate Maharashtra Day On May 1? Know History And Significance". NDTV.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
4. "THE STATES REORGANISATION ACT, 1956". Government of India. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
5. Guha, Ramachandra (2008). India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy. Harper Perennial. p. 320.
6. 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.
7. "THE BOMBAY RE-ORGANISATION ACT, 1960 No.11 OF 1960". Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
8. "Public Holiday – 2015" (PDF). Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
9. "Holidays for the calendar year". National Stock Exchange.
10. "Trading Holidays". Bombay Stock Exchange.
11. "List of dry days to be followed by retail licensee every year". Commissionerate of State Excise, Maharashtra State. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
12. "Maharashtra's golden jubilee grand finale on Monday". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
13. "Maharashtra: Political parties gear up for a grand golden jubilee day". rediff.com. Retrieved 6 December 2012.