Bihar Governor Honored with Shawl and Memento by Bihar Development Council and Bihar Foundation Gujarat Chapter

A grand welcome and honor ceremony was held on Thursday at the India Hall of Valentine Cinema on Dumas Road in Surat to mark the arrival of the Governor of Bihar, His Excellency Rajendra Arlekar. On this occasion, officials from the Bihar Development Council and the Bihar Foundation Gujarat Chapter presented the Governor with a memento, draped him with a shawl, and honored him with floral garlands.

The event saw a large gathering of industrialists from Bihar working in Surat, as well as presidents and representatives of various communities from Surat and South Gujarat. Everyone united to give the Governor a warm welcome and engaged in dialogue with him.

During his address while interacting with delegations of industrialists and various community representatives, His Excellency Governor Rajendra Arlekar emphasized the importance of progressing on the path of life with culture and religion. He shared his thoughts and knowledge related to great texts like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, highlighting the depth and relevance of Indian culture. The audience was deeply moved by the Governor’s inspiring thoughts, and the program concluded in a harmonious and dignified atmosphere.

India Hall

India Hall is a historic building located in the city of Southampton, England. Originally constructed in the late 19th century, it served as the headquarters for the British India Steam Navigation Company and was a major hub for passengers traveling between the UK and the Indian subcontinent. Today, it is a Grade II listed building and has been converted into luxury apartments, preserving its distinctive Victorian architecture.

Valentine Cinema

The Valentine Cinema is a historic single-screen movie theater located in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City. It first opened its doors in 1913, making it one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the United States. Originally a vaudeville house, it has survived through the decades by adapting to different eras of film and remains a cherished local landmark for its classic marquee and intimate atmosphere.

Dumas Road

Dumas Road is a coastal thoroughfare in Surat, Gujarat, India, known for its beach and vibrant nightlife. Historically, the area is named after Sir William Dumas, a 19th-century British official in the Surat district during the colonial era. Today, it is a popular local destination for its seaside promenade, food stalls, and entertainment.

Surat

Surat is a major port city in the Indian state of Gujarat, historically known as a vital trading hub since the Mughal era, particularly for textiles and diamonds. Its prominence grew in the 16th and 17th centuries when it served as the primary gateway for European trading companies, including the British and Dutch, to the Indian subcontinent. Today, it remains a global center for diamond cutting and polishing, blending its rich mercantile past with modern industry.

Bihar

Bihar is a state in northeastern India, historically known as the ancient region of Magadha, which was the center of powerful empires like the Maurya and Gupta dynasties. It is a profoundly significant cultural and religious site, being the birthplace of Buddhism (where Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya) and Jainism. Today, it is home to important pilgrimage centers, ancient university ruins at Nalanda, and numerous archaeological sites reflecting its deep historical legacy.

Gujarat

Gujarat is a state in western India with a rich historical and cultural heritage, dating back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization sites like Lothal. It is renowned as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and for its long coastline, which fostered historic trade routes. The state is also famous for its vibrant festivals, distinctive handicrafts, and diverse architectural sites, including stepwells and Jain temples.

Ramayana

The Ramayana is not a physical place but a foundational ancient Hindu epic, composed by the sage Valmiki in Sanskrit. It narrates the life of Prince Rama, his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and her eventual rescue with the help of the monkey-god Hanuman and an army of vanaras. As one of India’s most important literary and cultural texts, it has profoundly influenced art, literature, festivals, and moral values across South and Southeast Asia for millennia.

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is not a physical place but a foundational epic of ancient Indian literature and Hindu tradition. Composed in Sanskrit and traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, its oldest layers likely date to between 400 BCE and 400 CE. It narrates the great Kurukshetra War between two branches of a royal family, the Pandavas and Kauravas, and is renowned for its philosophical depth, including the Bhagavad Gita.