Dubai: The Chhattisgarh diaspora in the United Arab Emirates came together to celebrate the 26th State Foundation Day of Chhattisgarh and a Diwali Milan ceremony with great enthusiasm and cultural fervour in Dubai on Sunday. Organised under the banner of NACHA-UAE, the event witnessed the participation of a large number of expatriate families, reflecting their enduring bond with their homeland and cultural heritage.
The celebrations commenced with chants of “Jai Johar, Jai Chhattisgarh” and were led by NACHA-UAE President Amit Upadhyay. The gathering provided a platform for members of the Chhattisgarhi community residing in the UAE to honour the state’s formation, strengthen community ties, and share the festive spirit of Diwali.
The programme began with the traditional worship of Chhattisgarh Mahtari (Mother Chhattisgarh), a symbol of the state’s identity and pride. Held in a warm and family-oriented atmosphere, the ceremony included prayers for the prosperity and well-being of both the homeland and the community.
People from various walks of life, including business professionals, employees, senior citizens, women and children, participated in the celebrations. A series of cultural performances showcased the richness of Chhattisgarh’s traditions, with folk dance presentations drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. An interactive quiz competition titled “Kaun Banega Chhattisgarh Ka Buddhimaan” also emerged as one of the highlights of the event.
During the function, special recognition was accorded to the parents of community members as well as guests and supporters who contributed to the success of the programme. Among those honoured were Dr. Manish Tripathi, Dr. Divya Tripathi, Honey Tharwani, Sumit Sahani and Ali Chishti.
A major attraction of the event was the “International Art Participation” initiative. Young cultural ambassadors presented colourful artworks on the theme “Culture and Festivals of Chhattisgarh,” offering a creative glimpse into the state’s traditions and heritage. The non-competitive exhibition successfully encouraged children to develop a deeper appreciation of their cultural roots. Participation certificates were distributed to all young artists, and their artworks were displayed prominently at the venue.
NACHA-UAE expressed gratitude to the organising committee members, including Amit Upadhyay, Sijo Thomas, Toman Sahu, Amrita Mishra, Vishal Sharma, Khushi Tank, Shreya Tiwari, Sushil Keshkar, Vaibhav Kshatriya, Aarti Agrawal, Pallavi Upadhyay and Pramod Gaikwad, for their efforts in making the event a success. The organisation also thanked all participating families whose enthusiasm and community spirit contributed to the memorable celebrations.
The event concluded on a high note, reaffirming the commitment of the Chhattisgarh diaspora to preserving and promoting their cultural identity abroad. Despite being thousands of miles away from home, community members ensured that the spirit and traditions of Chhattisgarh continued to shine brightly in Dubai.
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