State’s culture & spirit celebrated in Malaysia

A celebration of Bihar's rich cultural heritage, literary discourse and entrepreneurial spirit took centre stage at the Bihar Diwas event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday. The festivities showcased the essence of Bihar through a captivating blend of tradition, scholarship and community pride.

Setting the tone for the evening with a heartfelt gesture, India's deputy high commissioner to Malaysia, Subhashini Narayanan, opened her remarks in Maithili, much to the delight of the audience.

More than 150 people from Bihar, including members of the local diaspora, gathered at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre to mark the occasion. The crowd cheered as Narayanan commended the Bihar Cultural Association (BCA) of Malaysia for preserving and promoting Bihar's values and legacy beyond India.

Addressing the gathering, she said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his heartfelt wishes to the people of Bihar. In his message, he has highlighted the ongoing development journey of the state and the important role played by its hardworking and talented people. He has called Bihar the holy land of heroes and great personalities. We know that Bihar's contribution to India and the world has enriched our lives in various aspects – be it culture, philosophy, wisdom, spirituality or leadership."

BCA president Alok Sinha, in his speech, highlighted the association's growing efforts to support Bihar workers in Malaysia while encouraging a cohesive and progressive community that embodies the values of Bihar and Jharkhand.

"This year, our programme is unique because we have focused on raising children's understanding of Bihar's heritage along with the theme of women's empowerment, celebrating the achievements of women, both at home and in the wider world," BCA vice secretary and media head, Dhirendra Kumar, said.

The evening began with a soulful rendition of Shri Ganapati Vandana by the women members, setting the stage for a nostalgic and deeply rooted cultural reunion. A children's fancy dress competition showcased Bihar's iconic historical figures while ‘Sahitya Pe Prakash', a session on Bihar's contributions to Hindi literature, resonated with literary pride.

A poetry recital by BCA chairman Prabhat Gupta, a Kajari dance performance by the women members and an exhibition of Bihar women entrepreneurs displaying their crafts all added to the evening's warmth and celebratory spirit.

Deepak Thakur, a native of Purnia who has lived in Malaysia for 13 years, said, "Events like this give us moments to reflect on how Bihar has contributed to India as a nation, to the world and to our personal growth. We owe so much to our roots and culture," he said.

Vijayalakshmy Sunderrajan, director of NSCBICC, Vishal Gansam, secretary of the High Commission of the Republic of Mauritius, and others attended the event. The presence of successful NRI entrepreneurs and professionals from Bihar further highlighted the global impact of the Bihar diaspora in business and leadership.