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Even as various parties and organisations vied to hog headlines celebrating the 50th anniversary of foundation of Maharashtra, the affair became more and more emotional. In Mumbai, Governor K Sankaranarayanan and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan led the state in paying tributes to the 105 martyrs of the movement that led to the creation of the state. They paid floral tributes to the martyrs of Samyukta Maharashtra movement at the Hutatma Chowk. In other parts of the state also, government machinery and political parties organised symbolic events to mark the occasion.
Maharashtra State Congress felicitated veteran activists who took part in the United Maharashtra movement prior to 1960. A function organised by Shiv Sena concluded few hours ago in which melody queen Lata Mangeshkar relived the mesmerizing moments of original ceremony on 50 years ago. She, alongwith many schoolchildren and chorus, recited the Maharashtra Geet (Song of Maharashtra). Sena chief Bal Thackeray was present at the event.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena could not lag behind in celebrating the milestone of the state. It had organised a grand program yesterday in Mumbai in which all stalwarts of the state, from Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar to Babasaheb Purandare were felicitated. Today, the party activists took out rallies in Pune displaying the great tradition of the state.
