Arunachal Governor champions 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' at Statehood Day event in Itanagar
Synopsis
At Itanagar's Lok Bhavan, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik turned a multi-state Statehood Day celebration into a showcase of PM Modi's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' philosophy — with differently-abled students, Bhangra performers and young orators all sharing one stage to represent India's federal diversity.
Key Takeaways
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T.
Parnaik (Retd) addressed the Statehood Day event at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar on 5 November 2026 .
The event honoured Statehood Days of 8 states and Foundation Days of 7 Union Territories , including J&K, Ladakh and Delhi.
Governor Parnaik highlighted PM Narendra Modi 's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative as a driver of inter-state cultural exchange and national unity.
He noted 36 of the highest national honours from foreign countries conferred on PM Modi as evidence of India's rising global stature.
Differently-abled student Sonam of Donyi Polo Mission School , Chimpu, delivered a cultural presentation alongside peers from VKV, Chimpu .
The 'Let's Speak Arunachal' NGO participants received Governor-engraved pens in recognition of their public-speaking skills.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Thursday, 5 November 2026, invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' vision at the Arunachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan in Itanagar, calling the initiative a catalyst for cultural exchange, mutual understanding and closer people-to-people bonds across the country. The occasion marked the simultaneous celebration of Statehood and Foundation Days of multiple states and Union Territories.
States and UTs Honoured at the Event
The Itanagar event celebrated the Statehood Days of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. Alongside these, the Foundation Days of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puducherry were also observed, bringing together the cultural identities of 15 states and Union Territories under one roof.
Governor's Address: Unity in Diversity
Addressing the gathering, Governor Parnaik said that India's foremost strength is its unity amid extraordinary diversity. 'Every state and Union Territory has its own distinct history, language, traditions, cuisine, art and cultural identity, yet all are united by the shared values of the Constitution, patriotism and a deep sense of belonging to one nation,' he said.
He added that such celebrations offer citizens an opportunity to understand, appreciate and respect one another's cultural heritage, thereby deepening the spirit of national integration. The Governor also noted that India's growing international stature — reflected in 36 of the highest national honours conferred on Prime Minister Modi by different countries — has further elevated the country's global standing.
Young Voices and Cultural Performances
Governor Parnaik praised participants of 'Let's Speak Arunachal', an NGO focused on building public-speaking, communication and presentation skills among children. He presented Governor-engraved pens to participants in recognition of their efforts, underlining the importance of self-confidence and effective articulation for future success.
A special highlight was the participation of Sonam, a differently-abled student of Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired, Chimpu, alongside Master Tsevang Tsondup and Joram Amree of VKV, Chimpu, who delivered presentations on Delhi, Kerala and Punjab and their respective cultural identities.
Cultural Showcase: Bharatanatyam to Bhangra
The cultural programme drew on India's rich diversity, featuring traditional dances by students of VKV at Chimpu, Bharatanatyam performances by Bhagyashri and Nandana, and a patriotic dance by students of Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired. Members of the Malayali and Punjabi communities added vibrancy with group performances including Tiranga and Bhangra, embodying the spirit of cultural unity the event sought to celebrate.
The event reinforced Arunachal Pradesh's role as a northeastern frontier where India's federal diversity finds active, visible expression — a message that the state's leadership is likely to carry forward in future inter-state exchange programmes.
Point of View
Inclusive and photographable — but their policy impact is harder to measure than their ceremonial warmth. The Governor's citation of PM Modi's 36 international honours as a marker of national cultural standing is a political framing worth noting: foreign awards to a head of government do not straightforwardly translate into civilisational recognition. The more substantive thread here is the participation of differently-abled students and an NGO focused on communication skills in a remote northeastern state — that is genuine human-interest material that tends to get buried under the ceremonial headline. Arunachal's geographic and demographic position on the frontier gives these federal unity gestures added strategic resonance, particularly given ongoing border sensitivities in the region.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was celebrated at the Arunachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan event on 5 November 2026?
The event at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, celebrated the Statehood Days of eight states — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu — and the Foundation Days of seven Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi and Puducherry. It was held as part of the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative.
What is the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative?
'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' is a Government of India initiative conceived to strengthen national unity by promoting cultural exchange and people-to-people connections between different states and Union Territories. It enables states to partner with one another and share their languages, traditions, cuisine and cultural practices.
What did Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik say at the event?
Governor Parnaik said India's greatest strength lies in its unity amid extraordinary diversity and praised PM Modi's 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' vision for fostering cultural exchange. He also referenced the 36 highest national honours conferred on PM Modi by foreign countries as a reflection of India's enhanced global standing.
Who were the notable young participants at the Itanagar Statehood Day event?
Sonam, a differently-abled student of Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired in Chimpu, delivered a cultural presentation alongside Master Tsevang Tsondup and Joram Amree of VKV, Chimpu. Participants of the 'Let's Speak Arunachal' NGO also performed and received Governor-engraved pens in recognition of their communication skills.
What cultural performances were showcased at the event?
The programme featured traditional dances by VKV Chimpu students, Bharatanatyam performances by Bhagyashri and Nandana, a patriotic dance by students of Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired, and group performances including Tiranga and Bhangra by members of the Malayali and Punjabi communities.
