Today is, 1st May, the foundation day of Gujarat state. On the occasion of 63rd foundation day of Gujarat many functions have been organized by the state government and various organizations. On the same day, the central government established two states on the basis of language and Bombay State i.e. Mumbai was divided into two states, Gujarat and Maharashtra. That is why this day is also called Gujarat Day, Gujarat Establishment Day or Gujarat Pride Day.
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How was Garvi Gujarat founded?
When Andhra Pradesh got the status of a separate state in 1956, the demand for a separate state on the basis of language intensified in Greater Mumbai as well. A big movement was launched for the purpose. The movement is well known as Maha Gujarat movement. The father of this movement was Indulal Yagnik who is also called as Induchacha with love by the people of Gujarat.
Role of Maha Gujarat movement in foundation of Gujarat
Maha Gujarat movement was launched to declare Gujarati speaking area as Gujarat state. Actually, movement was launched by the university students. But within short span of time it was changed to ‘Maha Gujarat movement.’ Indulal Yagnik was the main leader of the ‘Maha Gujarat movement.’ He initiated the movement for an independent state of Gujarat in 1956.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister of India
During 1955-56, the demand for the establishment of a separate state of Gujarat intensified. Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister of the country at that time. Initially, he ignored the demand of separate Gujarat state. But when the demand rose from all corners the Centre and the then Bombay state government had to accept the demand. With the acceptance of the demand, the state came into existence on May, 1 1960. The area where Gujarati language was spoken, it got included in the part of Gujarat and the part where Marathi language was spoken was called Maharashtra.
When did Gujarat came into existance ?
Indulal Yagnik formed the Mahagujarat Janata Parishad in 1956 to realize the dream of Gujarat. The Maha Gujarat movement became successful on 1 May 1960. Subsequently, the central government divided the state of Mumbai into two separate states in 1960 on the basis of the ‘State Reorganization Act-1956’. The central government passed a bill for bifurcation of the bilingual state of Mumbai. Following the bifurcation the dream of a separate state of Gujarat including Saurashtra and Kutch was realized.
Who became first CM of Gujarat ?
Dr. Jivraj Mehta was appointed the first Chief Minister of the state with the foundation of Gujarat state. Ahmedabad became the first capital of the state. Mehndi Nawaz Jung was the first governor of the state. On foundation, the state had 17 districts and now its number has increased to 33. Congress won 113 seats in the assembly elections held two years after separation from Mumbai. Besides, the Independence Party got 26 seats, the Praja Socialist Party got 7 seats and the Nutan Maha Gujarat Parishad won only 1 seat. But ‘Janata Parishad’ the party of the father of Gujarat state Indulal Yagnik did not succeed in the election.
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