Chandigarh, November 1: Every year on November 1, Haryana celebrates its Formation Day with great zeal and happiness. The state was carved out of the former state of East Punjab on 1st November, 1966. The state is often reffered as 'the land of God'. In Sanskrit, 'Hari' means 'Lord Vishnu' and 'ayana' is home. The formation day, termed as 'Haryana Day' is a regional public holiday observed in the state.

Apart from Haryana, six other Indian states including Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are also celebrating their formation day on November 1. Haryana is the 21st largest state out of 29 in terms of area. It has the third highest per capita income in India and is one of the most economically developed regions in South Asia. November 1 is State Formation Day for Seven Indian States: Know Why and How Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Punjab, Haryana and Chhattisgarh Formed.

History of Haryana Formation Day:

Going back to history, the Indian government had set up the Shah Commission in April 1966, to review the existing state of Punjab and determine the boundaries of the new state of Haryana by considering the languages spoken by the local people. The commission delivered its recommendations at the end of May 1966 and Haryana state was created on 1 November 1966.

Wishes on Haryana Formation Day:

On the formation day of Haryana, President Ram Nath Kovind, Dharmendra Pradhan‏, Suresh Prabhu and several other leaders extended their greetings to people of the state. "Warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, on formation day. May these regions and our country scale newer heights in the years to come", Kovind said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wished people of Haryana on the formation day. "Greetings to the people of Haryana and Karnataka on their respective State’s foundation day. Wish for peace, progress and prosperity for the wonderful people of Karnataka and Haryana", Pradhan tweeted.

Suresh Prabhu took to Twitter and said, "Warm wishes to wishes to people of Haryana on the occasion of their Statehood Day. The State is bestowed with a rich culture & natural resources and is fast becoming a hub of economic progress of New India".

On its Formation Day, there are festivities across the state. People take part in cycle rallies which are held from Chandigarh to Panchkula town. As a part of the festivity, all the state complexes and buildings are brightly lit up and decorated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 01, 2018 11:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).