Patna: The Bihar government has announced a series of cultural programmes to mark Bihar Diwas this year, with popular singers Shaan, Sona Mohapatra and Papon set to perform at Gandhi Maidan in Patna from March 22 to March 24.
The three-day celebration will feature music concerts, exhibitions, food fairs, book fairs and cultural performances to mark the state’s foundation day.
According to officials, Sona Mohapatra will perform on the opening day, March 22. The singer, known for songs such as Mujhe Kya Bechega Rupaiya, will headline the first evening of the celebrations.
Playback singer Shaan will take the stage on March 23. He is widely known for popular songs including Nikamma Kiya Is Dil Ne and Dhanan Dhanan.
The final evening of the festival on March 24 will feature Assamese singer and composer Angaraag Mahanta, popularly known as Papon, whose songs include Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Khumaar, Kyon, Jiya Baitha Ja and Maula Sun Le Re.
Apart from Gandhi Maidan, several events are also scheduled to take place at Sri Krishna Memorial Hall and Ravindra Bhavan in Patna as part of the celebrations.
Preparations for the event were reviewed in a meeting chaired by B Rajendra, additional chief secretary of the education department. Naveen Kumar, state project director of the Bihar Education Project Council, presented an overview of the arrangements.
Officials discussed measures related to sanitation, drinking water supply and toilet facilities at the venue. Authorities were also instructed to ensure adequate arrangements for crowd management, law and order, and traffic control during the celebrations.
Patna district magistrate Dr Tyagarajan S M and senior superintendent of police Kartikeya K Sharma were among the officials present at the meeting, along with representatives from the municipal corporation and various departments.
Bihar Diwas marks the formation of the state on March 22, 1912, when Bihar was separated from the Bengal Presidency during British rule.
The day has been officially celebrated as Bihar Diwas since 2010 and is observed as a public holiday in the state.
This year’s celebrations will coincide with the 114th foundation day of Bihar.
