Fadnavis lauds people from UP for absorbing Maha culture

Reaching out to north Indians ahead of the high-stake Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said people of Uttar Pradesh living here have absorbed the culture of Maharashtra without forgetting their own.

"People of Uttar Pradesh have absorbed the culture of Maharashtra without forgetting their own, which is a great virtue," Fadnavis said.

He was addressing a gathering organised by the city unit of BJP to celebrate the Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day. Fadnavis, who was in Delhi to attend the meeting of Chief Ministers, addressed the gathering through mobile phone.

Union Minister of State HRD Mahendra Nath Pandey, Maharashtra Minister Vidya Thakur, Bhojpuri singers, including Padamshri Malini Awasthi, and actors were present on the occasion.
 

In his 20-minute long speech, Fadnavis also urged the north Indians living in Mumbai to contribute towards transforming the metropolis.

"The way we are marching ahead to transform Maharashtra under the guidance of (PM) Modiji...If you continue to bless, we would like to carry forward the same in Mumbai as well. We would transform this metropolis and make it suitable for every working class," Fadnavis said.

"We are transforming Mumbai and therefore, seek your support," he added.

Mahendra Nath Pandey listed the development works undertaken by Modi government.

This cultural event is annually organised on January 24 here by Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra, through his social organisation Abhiyan.

Mishra said, "This is the 29th year that we are celebrating the Uttar Pradesh Foundation day."

He said the main feature of the event is folk songs and awards distribution to the performers in different fields.

Election to BMC will be held on February 21. North Indians form 28 per cent vote share in Mumbai.

Noted folk singers Malini Awasthi, Priyanka Singh and Anamika Singh presented songs during the event that was held at the Lions Club ground in suburban Santacruz. Noted journalist and group editor of the Bhaskar Group Prakash Dubey was awarded with Dr Ram Manohar Tripathi Memorial Award on the occasion.