Itanagar, Apr 10: Governor KT Parnaik participated in the Madhavpur Fair, an annual cultural and spiritual festival held in Madhavpur Ghed, Gujarat on Wednesday.
The fair commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, symbolising the historical and cultural connection between Gujarat and the Northeast, particularly Arunachal Pradesh.
Parnaik, currently on a five-day official visit to Gujarat at the invitation of Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, commended the event as a unique initiative under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ programme, an official statement from Raj Bhavan said on Thursday.
He noted that the Madhavpur Fair not only celebrates India's rich spiritual heritage but also strengthens national unity by showcasing the diverse traditions of Gujarat and the Northeastern states.
He said the cultural convergence is a shining example of the shared heritage, fostering mutual appreciation, artistic collaboration, and tourism growth.
Events like these provide a national platform for indigenous art, folklore, and crafts while also boosting the local economy and reinforcing India’s cultural mosaic, the governor said.
The governor also lauded the Gujarat government for promoting regional art forms, folklore, and craftsmanship, encouraging inter-state cultural ties.
Drawing parallels, he highlighted the Malinithan Mela held annually in the archaeological site of Malinithan at Likabali in Lower Siang district of the northeastern state, another celebration rooted in the legend of Rukmini.
As a token of appreciation and to further cultural exchange, Parnaik presented a book titled ‘Malinithan – A Glorious Heritage of Arunachal Pradesh’, published by the Malinithan Vikash Parishad, to Gujarat governor, Acharya Devvrat, and Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Earlier in the day, Parnaik visited the revered Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka.
The governor on Tuesday visited the military station at Jamnagar and interacted with the senior officials of the Indian Army.
During the visit, Parnaik fondly recalled his own posting in Jamnagar as a young Lieutenant in 1972, shortly after returning from action deep inside Pakistani territory during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Reflecting on those formative experiences, he shared the challenging circumstances under which the troops operated and expressed deep admiration for the spirit and resilience of the Indian Armed Forces.
The governor commended the senior leadership for upholding the proud traditions and high standards of the Indian military.
Sharing extensive experience of his military career, Parnaik, who held several key positions, including commanding the Northern Command, emphasised courage and selfless sacrifice amongst the troops, and an ‘Espirit-de-Corps’ amongst the tri-services.
The military station is one of the most strategically significant defence establishments in the region, hosting key installations of all three armed services. Its location and operational readiness play a vital role in India’s defence preparedness, especially along the western front.
