Committed to making national capital developed & culturally rich: CM Rekha

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said Delhi was experiencing a new wave of cultural celebrations, with youth participation bringing fresh energy to Navratri, Durga Puja, Garba, Onam and Telangana’s Bathukamma festival.

“I bow to this new cultural wave in Delhi,” the CM said. “It’s heartwarming to see young people take part in Navratri. Delhi has never seen such a lively and beautiful atmosphere before,” she added.

The CM said she had been attending many events and found that besides development, the city was buzzing with cultural celebrations. For the first time, Ramlilas are being observed simultaneously with Durga Puja, dandiya and garba. Onam and Bathukamma too have added a unique charm.

“A new energy around cultural celebrations” was how the CM described the atmosphere. She said that during the ongoing Seva Pakhwada, organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Delhi had not only seen cultural programmes but the inception of development works such as multi-level parking facilities and Asia’s largest sewage treatment plant.

The CM noted that long-delayed projects were finally moving forward with the PM’s support. “But alongside this development,” she said, “the growing excitement around cultural programmes is equally special. People are participating wholeheartedly, and their desire to give Delhi a unique identity is now palpable.”

On Saturday night, the CM joined two events on the Delhi University campus — a dandiya and garba night at the Rugby Ground, and the Bathukamma festival at Ramjas College. She praised Culture and Languages Minister Kapil Mishra for his efforts, saying that for the first time, festivals from other regions were being celebrated in the Capital with such enthusiasm.

She said, “DU has always hosted unique programmes, but never before have festivals rooted in the traditions of other states been celebrated in this way. Seeing students from across the country engage so deeply with these events was both moving and surprising.”

The CM said she was delighted to join the Bathukamma festival with thousands of students from Telangana. “You are part of Delhi. This city is yours. And the CM standing here is like your own elder sister. Keep organising such festivals. I will always be happy to join you,” she added.

She recalled her recent participation in the Onam festival and said more such celebrations would follow. “Under the PM’s leadership, a new cultural renaissance has begun, bringing together the traditions and festivals of diverse states under the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’,” she said.

Both the Centre and the state government, she said, were committed to making Delhi not only developed but also culturally rich and full of pride.