Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Celebrates India's Unity in Diversity
Imagine India is like a big box of crayons, with many different colors and shades.
The 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' program is like a special game that helps everyone in the box get to know each other better.
It pairs up different states, like putting two friends together to learn about each other's favorite games and songs.
Kids might learn a song from a state far away, or artists might mix their dances together.
People who live far from their homes, called 'pravasis', are really good at keeping their traditions alive, like teaching their children their special language or celebrating festivals.
This program reminds everyone that even though India has many different traditions, languages, and foods, everyone is part of one big, awesome family called Bharat.
It helps people feel closer and prouder of all the different ways India is special.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), launched in 2015, aims to foster unity by promoting cultural exchange and understanding between Indian states.
The initiative pairs states and union territories for a year, encouraging discovery of each other's heritage, arts, festivals, and local practices.
'Pravasis' (non-resident Indians) are highlighted for their dedication in preserving and promoting their culture, language, and traditions, often surpassing those in their home states.
A recent EBSB celebration at Gujarat's Raj Bhavan featured performances by local communities and state associations, showcasing diverse cultural forms.
EBSB is presented as a counterforce to globalization's identity blurring and misinformation, emphasizing diversity as India's strength and nurturing empathy and inclusiveness.
- Who
- Citizens of India, particularly 'pravasis' (non-resident Indians), facilitated by the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
- What
- Celebrations fostering cultural exchange, linguistic appreciation, and mutual understanding across Indian states and union territories.
- When
- The article mentions a specific event on 'Wednesday' and the initiative was launched in 2015.
- Where
- Gujarat (Raj Bhavan) and various communities across India through state associations.
- Why
- To strengthen emotional bonds among citizens, remind them of their shared civilisational identity, and counter cultural homogenization and artificial divides.
- Initiative Name
- Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)
- Launched By
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Launch Year
- 2015
- Objective
- Strengthen emotional bonds through cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
- Key Activity
- Pairing states/UTs for year-long cultural discovery.
- Notable Event
- Grand EBSB celebration at Raj Bhavan, Gujarat, organized by Governor Acharya Devvrat.