Various programmes were organised in the city on Saturday to mark foundation day of the city. Rising above party lines, leaders of all the main political parties in the city including the Congress and the BJP organised separate programmes to observe foundation day.
In a function, the Congress leaders led by the city Congress president Pramod Tandon, Rajesh Chowkse and others on Saturday morning offered ‘dugdh abhishek’ on the bust of Devi Ahilyabai at Rajwada and garlanded the bust of Ahilyabai.
The BJP in a separate function distributed sweets among the city people and exchanged greetings with them to mark the occasion. Notable among those who were present on the occasion included City BJP president Shankar lalwani, Satish Sharma, Kamal Baghela, Ghanshyam Sher, Manak Sogani, Dililp Patni and others respectively.
City Mayor Krishna Murari Moghe accompanied by BJP leaders also arrived at the Rajwada and garlanded the bust of Devi Ahilyabai. However, women leaders of both the parties remained conspicuous by their absence in the city’s foundation day celebrations. Surprisingly, the BJP had had not sent invitations to its women’s wing to participate in the foundations day ceremony.
Foundation Day ceremonies were also organised by various communities of the city. A bicycle rally was organised by the Sikh community of the city under the aegis of the Shree Gurusingh Sabha to create awareness among the city people towards preserving environment of the city.
To mark the occasion, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) had also organised a seminar at the historical Ganesh Hall of the Rajwada on Friday evening wherein distinguished people of the city spoke on issues related to the city’s development.
IMC on Friday also gave 50 per cent rebate to the city people for entries at city’s zoo and the Pipliyahana regional park. All the main historical buildings of the city had been decorated tastefully with electric bulbs to mark the occasion.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in his message to the city people said it is a matter of pride for the people of any city to celebrate the foundation day. Describing Indore as a city of his dream, Chief Minister wished to see Indore as the best city of the world.
It is for the first time that the city administration has observed foundation of the city, on the basis of a book of a noted historian, though there is no documental evidences which can establish the actual date of origin of the city.