Mythology about Krishna and Rukmini connects Gujarat with Arunachal.
Through a variety of cultural events, including a Rukmini Yatra, an ancient mythical link between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, the two boundaries of India, will soon be revived.
According to legend, Rukimini, a member of the Idu Mishmi tribe from Bhismaknagar, an old city in Arunachal Pradesh, was Lord Krishna's spouse.
The authority wants to encourage people, especially the youth from both states, to visit sites associated with Rukmini and Krishna as part of its efforts to promote national unity and "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," an initiative to promote interaction and understanding between people of different states envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) program was unveiled by the Honorable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi on October 31, 2015, during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas to encourage engagement among the people of states and union territories in order to strengthen bonds and mutual understanding between people of different cultures and to ensure greater India's unity and integrity.
According to the rules of the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, the initiative aims to demonstrate the harmony between the cultural variety of the paired states and union territories.
The Indian Institute of Technology in Bhubaneswar is prepared to react completely to the government's all-encompassing effort to make it a reality.
A schedule of activities has been created by a number of faculty members in collaboration with the enormous number of students and staff members to make the cause so active.
Each of the many cultures in our nation has a rich cultural legacy.
The cultural exchange activities will enable us to mutually respect and enjoy one another's cultures, strengthening our feeling of community.
No matter what areas we are from, national integration is crucial because it is our unity in the midst of our variety that holds the key to our growth.
The series of activities that IIT Bhubaneswar has planned as part of the EBSB program are intended to promote unity among us and aid in the development of a more powerful and better India.
Activities, including as concerts, plays, and storytelling sessions, will be held at the legendary places as part of this ambitious "cultural exchange strategy."
Depending on the weather, the Rukmini Yatra may occur in November or December.
"The people of Arunachal Pradesh continue to name their girls after Rukmini because they feel that she is theirs.
They believe themselves to be Yadavs and that Krishna traveled from Gujarat to wed Rukmini.
There are webpages which are associated to Rukmini-Krishna legends.
The PM came up with the concept for this cross-cultural interaction.
The NMA's Tarun Vijay said, "We want for this to become a thread of cultural togetherness.
Recently, a delegation of NMA lead by Vijay travelled to Arunachal Pradesh and conducted a meeting with deputy chief minister of the state BJP politician Chowna Mein in which they had decided to deepen the age-old cultural relationship between Gujarat and Arunachal via the legends of Rukmini and Krishna.
References And Further Reading
- Pib.gov.in. 2022. NMA to work towards strengthening Rukmini Krishna Yatra between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat. [online] Available at: <https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1834849> [Accessed 10 July 2022].
- Patnaik, J.N., 2008. The Four Dhams. Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar, India.
- Bhattacharya, A., 1969. Yatra of Bengal.
- Smith, W.J. ed., 1994. Translation. Columbia University, Translation Center.
- Smith, W.L., 2007. Assam: Shankaradeva’s Parijata Harana Nata. Krishna: A Sourcebook, 163.