Bihar Diwas is celebrated on 22nd March by Bihar Government every year. Bihar Diwas celebration commemorates the foundation of the state ‘Bihar’. This is like a festivity for the people of Bihar (Bihari). This festivity holds huge cheers among Biharis during the celebration.

Notably, there is a controversy behind Bihar Diwas celebration date. According to historical sources, Bihar and Orissa collectively were separated on April 1st in 1912 from Bengal Province. Later on, Bihar was separated from Orissa on April 1st, 1936. So, some people claim that Bihar Diwas should be celebrated on 1st April. But Bihar Diwas is celebrated on 22nd March. On the other hand, supporters (of 22nd March) give logic that April 1st is Fool’s Day and so celebration on 1st April would be related to fools. That is why the date 1st April would not be better for the celebration.

History & Origin Of Bihar Diwas Celebration

Bihar Diwas commemorates the foundation Day of Bihar in 1912. On April 1^st , Bihar was carved out from Bengal. The first celebration of Bihar Diwas was held in 2010 under the effort of Shree Nitish Kumar (chief minister of Bihar).

There has been an important role of a newspaper ‘The Bihar Times’ in the formation of Bihar as a state. The publication of The Bihar Times started in 1894 to give a boost to the demand for the separation of Bihar from Bengal. Let’s look at how this newspaper started and affected the Bihar separatist movement.

In 1889, late Sachchda Nand Sinha (born in Arah, Bihar) went to England to study Bar-at-law. There, he became a butt of ridicule when he called himself a Bihari. That humiliating experience bought Dr. Sinha to strive for separate identity of Bihar state on the map of India. He returned to India in 1893. He took a vow to make Bihar- a separate administrative unit. However, the publication of Bihar Times started in 1994 with the supports of Nandkishore Lal (Gaya), Rai Bahadur Shreekrishna Sahay and Mahesh Narayan. In its initials years, the newspaper was devoted to the struggle for separation of Bihar from Bengal. Later on, S. N. Sinha along with Nandkishore Lal submitted a memorandum to Governor Alexander Mackenji concerning the separation of Bihar.

In 1906, Dr. Rajendra Prasad organized a conference of Bihari students in the consultation with S. N. Sinha and Mahesh Narayan. The conference was aimed at the separatist movement. In 1910,  Dr. S.N.Sinha and Mazrul Haque were elected members of Imperial Legislative Council from minority quota. By the time, the separatist movement took recognition among people. In 1911, George V was going to be declared Emperor of India in Delhi Darbar. On the occasion, Secretary of India wrote a letter to Govt. of India emphasizing on separation of Bihar. In the letter, he wrote that Biharis were different to Bengalese in their origin, language, propensities, land, and thinking.

On December 12, the governor announced the joint separation of Bihar and Orissa from Bengal. Thus, Bihar and Orissa became separate administrative unit under Lt governor from 1st April 1912. Also, Bihar was separated from Orissa on April 1st, 1936. In this way, Bihar came into existence as a state. The Bihar Times an important role in the creation of Bihar awaking the masses.

In this way, the foundation day of Bihar is April 1st according to history source. But, never was it celebrated till 2009. The celebration started in 2010 under the supervision of Nitish Kumar. And the day has been celebrated as ‘Bihar Diwas Celebration’ since 2010 with pomp and show.

Ways of Bihar Diwas Celebration

Bihar Foundation Day (also called Bihar Sthapna Diwas) is observed on 22nd March. It is a gazetted holy day in Bihar. Government offices, banks, and educational institutions remain closed on this day. Bihar Diwas is much more than just another public holiday. It is the pride and honor of the people who call themselves Biharis. The Bihar Diwas celebration holds a huge zeal and fervor among people. A nice celebration is arranged in the capital ‘Patna’. Dance and music programs are arranged. Many plays are staged to entertain the people. Traditional craft exhibitions and panel discussion on several subjects are organized. Also, related celebrities are called in these programs. Kavi Sammelan, Speech, dance, painting, singing and other competitive activities are organized at educational institutions. On the occasion, various competitions are arranged in schools and colleges on a district level.

Apart from Bihar, this day is also celebrated in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore with great pomp and show. This celebration is also tracked in foreign countries like California and New Jersey in the US, Sydney in Australia, Seoul in South Korea, Dubai, Qatar,  Bahrain etc where Biharis resides.

Interesting Facts about Bihar

1. The thought of ‘non-violence’ originated from Bihar. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahaveer propagated this idea 2600 years ago.
2. The tenth Guru of Sikhs ‘Guru Govind Singh’ was born in Patna whereat Sikh’s pilgrimage Harmandir Takht Saheb is situated.
3. Bihari people are considered to be excellent in Mathematics. For example, the record number of students have qualified IIT from renowned institute ‘Super 30’ under the supervision of Anand Kumar.
4. During the Vedic period, Bihar was the center of trade and culture in India
5. Bihar was an epicenter of knowledge and learning. Nalanda University-World’s oldest university attracted students from all over the world.
6. A number of Indian freedom fighters belong to Bihar. For example, Dr, Rajendra Prasad, Veer Kunwar Singh, Anugrah Narayan Singh, Jagjeevan Ram etc.
7. More Biharis are bank probationary office than any other state.
8. The first republic administration was established in the district ‘Vaishali’ of Bihar.
9. The four great kings belonged to Bihar – Samudragupta, Ashoka, Vikramaditya and Chandragupta Maurya.