BHOJPUR MARKS 54TH FOUNDATION DAY

BHOJPUR MARKS 54^TH FOUNDATION DAY

11-NOV-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------The 54th Foundation Day of Bhojpur district was celebrated with great enthusiasm and dignity on Tuesday at the Babu Veer Kunwar Singh Stadium in Ramna Maidan. The day-long programme reflected the district’s rich historical legacy, its steady journey of development and the vibrant cultural spirit of the people of Bhojpur.

The formal inauguration was marked by the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena performed the ritual along with elected representatives, setting a tone of collective participation and administrative commitment. The presence of a wide spectrum of public representatives and senior officials underscored the significance of the occasion.

Among those who attended were Sudama Prasad, Member of Parliament from Arrah; Raghvendra Pratap Singh, MLA from Barhara; Radhacharan Sah, MLA from Sandesh; Mahesh Paswan, MLA from Agiaon; Vishal Prashant, MLA from Tarari; Sonu Rai, Member of the Legislative Council; Indu Devi, Mayor of Arrah; Arun Prakash, Deputy Development Commissioner; Dr. Shashi Shekhar, Additional Collector; the Municipal Commissioner of Arrah Municipal Corporation; the Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar, Arrah); and several other officers and distinguished guests.

In his address, District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena focused on the concrete steps being taken by the Government of Bihar for the all-round development of the district and the welfare of its citizens. He specifically referred to the effective ground-level implementation of key initiatives such as the Kayakalp Abhiyan, Sahyog Shivir and Chikitsa Aapke Dwar. These programmes, he said, are designed to improve public facilities, bring healthcare closer to people and ensure that development schemes translate into visible benefits for ordinary citizens. The District Magistrate stressed that continuous monitoring and public participation remain essential for the success of these efforts.

After the formal addresses, elected representatives and officials visited the stalls set up by various government departments. The exhibition provided a platform for departments to showcase their schemes, achievements and ongoing public-interest projects. The interaction allowed the visiting dignitaries to assess progress and gather first-hand information on the work being carried out across sectors.

A notable feature of the celebration was the participation of local athletes. District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena personally encouraged the sportspersons present and even tried his hand at archery, drawing applause from the gathering. The gesture was widely appreciated as a symbol of administrative support for sports and youth development in the district.

A street play (nukkad natak) on the theme of substance abuse was staged to generate public awareness. The performance, rooted in local cultural forms, effectively communicated the social and health hazards of addiction while keeping the audience engaged. In addition, a series of cultural programmes added colour and energy to the day’s proceedings, making the celebration both informative and entertaining.

The Foundation Day programme concluded in the evening with a Deepotsav. The District Magistrate and other officials participated in the festival of lights, creating a serene and memorable atmosphere. The soft glow of lamps across the stadium grounds offered a fitting end to a day dedicated to reflecting on the district’s past and looking ahead to its future.

Bhojpur’s Foundation Day celebrations have traditionally served as an occasion to recall the district’s historical associations, including its links with the freedom struggle and the legacy of Veer Kunwar Singh. This year’s event successfully blended that sense of heritage with a clear focus on contemporary development priorities. The presence of elected representatives from different political parties and the active involvement of the district administration highlighted a shared commitment to the progress of the region.

Officials present at the venue noted that such gatherings help strengthen the connect between the administration and the public. By combining scheme awareness, cultural expression and sporting encouragement, the 54th Foundation Day celebration presented a multi-dimensional picture of Bhojpur — a district conscious of its roots yet determined to move forward.

As the lamps of the Deepotsav slowly faded, the message that remained was one of continuity and collective responsibility. The people of Bhojpur, its public representatives and the administrative machinery together reaffirmed their resolve to work for a more developed, healthier and culturally vibrant district in the years ahead.