Assam Governor urges state cooperation at 7 foundation day celebrations in Guwahati
Synopsis
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya used the joint foundation day celebrations of seven states and UTs in Guwahati to deliver a pointed message on cooperative federalism — urging every state to contribute to Viksit Bharat 2047 through shared best practices, inclusive development and cultural respect under the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' spirit.
Key Takeaways
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya addressed joint foundation day celebrations on 1 November 2026 in Guwahati .
The event commemorated the foundation days of Andhra Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Karnataka , Madhya Pradesh , Tamil Nadu , Chandigarh and Puducherry .
The Governor called for exchange of best practices and cooperative federalism to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 .
He stressed inclusive development, urging investment in education, healthcare, skill development and women's empowerment.
The event featured cultural performances from all participating states and UTs, organised by Lok Bhavan Assam .
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday, 1 November 2026, called for greater cooperation among states and Union Territories, stating that India's diversity and collective efforts are essential to realising the vision of a developed nation by 2047. The Governor was addressing the joint State Foundation Day celebrations of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh and Puducherry, held at the Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium in Guwahati.
Key Remarks by the Governor
Governor Acharya emphasised that while every region carries its own distinct historical legacy, cultural identity and traditions, all remain united by a shared national spirit. He highlighted the contributions of each state in agriculture, technology, education, art, culture and spiritual traditions, and called for an active exchange of best practices to strengthen cooperative federalism.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047', the Governor stressed that achieving this national goal would require coordinated efforts from every state and citizen. He underlined that development must be inclusive, ensuring its benefits reach the last person in society.
Areas Highlighted for Investment
Governor Acharya called for sustained investment and effort in education, healthcare, agriculture, innovation, skill development and women's empowerment. He added that nation-building is a shared responsibility, urging citizens to contribute actively to development initiatives while taking pride in their respective cultural identities.
Respecting the traditions and achievements of other communities, he noted, would deepen cultural understanding and reinforce the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' — a central theme of the Centre's federal outreach programme.
Cultural Performances and Dignitaries
The event, organised by Lok Bhavan Assam, featured colourful cultural performances representing each of the participating states and Union Territories, showcasing folk traditions, art forms and distinctive cultural expressions.
Among the dignitaries present were Biswajit Daimary, Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare; Nilima Devi, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary; Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary; Surendra Kumar, ADGP; S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor; and Ankur Jain, Joint Commissioner of Police.
Broader Significance
The joint celebration of multiple states' and UTs' foundation days on 1 November — a date that marks the reorganisation of several Indian states along linguistic lines in 1956 — has grown into an annual occasion to reaffirm inter-state cultural bonds. Guwahati's hosting of the event underscores Assam's role as a bridge between the Northeast and the rest of India. Going forward, the Governor's call for structured exchange of best practices among states is expected to feed into ongoing discussions on cooperative federalism within the NITI Aayog framework.
Point of View
But their impact depends on whether the 'best practices exchange' rhetoric translates into tangible administrative linkages. The Governor's invocation of Viksit Bharat 2047 is consistent with the Centre's messaging, yet the event's real value lies in the Northeast's engagement with the rest of India — a relationship historically marked by asymmetry. What is missing from these celebrations is a concrete mechanism: without a structured follow-up forum, the calls for cooperative federalism risk remaining ceremonial. The NITI Aayog's vertical frameworks could be the natural home for such outcomes, but that connection was not made explicit here.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the occasion for Assam Governor's speech in Guwahati on 1 November?
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya spoke at the joint State Foundation Day celebrations of seven states and Union Territories — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh and Puducherry — held at the Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium in Guwahati on 1 November 2026. The event was organised by Lok Bhavan Assam.
What did Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya say about Viksit Bharat 2047?
Governor Acharya said achieving the Viksit Bharat by 2047 vision requires collective commitment and coordinated efforts from every state and citizen. He emphasised that development must be inclusive, ensuring its benefits reach the last person in society.
Why are multiple states' foundation days celebrated on 1 November?
Several Indian states — including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh — were reorganised along linguistic lines on 1 November 1956, making that date their official foundation day. It has since become an annual occasion to reaffirm cultural and federal bonds across these regions.
Who attended the foundation day celebrations in Guwahati?
Senior officials present included Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Biswajit Daimary, Animal Husbandry Minister Nilima Devi, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, ADGP Surendra Kumar, Governor's Secretary S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram and Joint Commissioner of Police Ankur Jain, among other dignitaries.
What is 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' and why did the Governor mention it?
'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' is a Central Government initiative launched to promote cultural understanding and unity among Indian states and regions. Governor Acharya invoked it to underscore that respecting the traditions and achievements of other communities strengthens national cohesion alongside regional pride.
