Surat prepares for Gujarat Day celebrations

A number of cultural and other programmes will be conducted in Surat between April 29 and May 4 to mark the formation of the Gujarat state.

The Gujarat Formation Day, which falls on May 1, is celebrated each year in different districts of the state.

A maha aarti at the Tapi river will be performed to kick off the celebrations.

This will be followed by fireworks in different parts of the city.

All government buildings will be illuminated and decorated on the occasion.

The celebrations will also feature programmes such as clean city competition, marathon race, body building competition, children's rally, blood donation camp, para cycling, water games and heritage walk.

Exhibitions of fruit and vegetable, textiles and diamonds, and handicraft will also be held.

An ex-servicemen and freedom fighters' conference, a drama festival at Gandhi Smruti Bhavan and a festival of Gujarati films will also be conducted.

The programme schedule has been finalised and officials are making all efforts to make the event a success.

Surat district collector Pankaj Joshi said, "We plan to make the Gujarat Formation Day celebrations a unique experience."

"We are trying to involve every segment of the society in the celebrations."

Joshi said, "The best thing about the celebrations is that they will be more of a 'mahotsava'. We are confident that the celebrations will be unprecedented and a huge success."