Port Blair, Sept. 3: The Raising Day celebration of the Bhojpuri Samaj of A&N Islands was held in the auditorium of TGCE here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS as the chief guest inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional oil lamp in the presence of the guest of honour of the function, the Director General of Police, Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS. The Adhyaksh, ZPSA, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh and good number of people from Bhojpuri Samaj were also present.

In his address, the Chief Secretary greeted the Bhojpuri Samaj on the occasion of Raising Day celebration. He appreciated the vibrant cultural programme presented by the children and women. He also appreciated the effort made by Bhojpuri Samaj for keeping their culture alive and urged for creating awareness about the same among younger generation. The Chief Secretary expressed hope that the people belonging to Bhojpuri Samaj will further contribute towards the development of A&N Islands.

The Chief Secretary and DGP jointly handed over mementoes and medals to meritorious students of Class X and XII.

In his address, the Director General of Police, while greeting the Bhojpuri Samaj on the occasion of their foundation day stated that the old and the young generation of Bhojpuri Samaj have played an important role in the development of the Islands. He described A&N Islands as 'Mini India' where people belonging to different states lives here with perfect peace and harmony.

The General Secretary, Bhojpuri Samaj, Shri DP Tiwari presented a brief report on the activities being carried out by Bhojpuri Samaj for the betterment of the society. A colourful cultural programme comprising of songs and folk dances were presented by the children and women drew loud applause from the audience. Shri Jagdish Narayan Rai and Ayush Kumar Dubey presented their self-composed poems on the occasion. Earlier, Shri R P Yadav, President of A&NIBS presented the welcome address while the function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Office Secretary, BS, Shri BP Mishra.