Nice initiative. This will help in building feeling of togetherness throughout country.
Goal: The idea is that each year one state should connect to any other state in India on a reciprocal
basis. As the Prime Minister himself explained through an example in his speech, "Haryana as a state can
decide to connect with Tamil Nadu for the year 2016 and the activities that Haryana state can undertake
may include popularizing the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu in Haryana through song festivals, book
festivals, literary events, food festivals, tours of people of Haryana to Tamil Nadu and vice versa. In the
year 2017, Haryana would connect to any other state and in 2018 to another state and so on".
The knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different states will lead to an enhanced
understanding and bonding between each other thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.
The full address of the portion of the Prime Minister's speech, where he announced the scheme, can be
accessed here.
Artifact on how the fest will look like:
1. We can decide some 2 weeks for such initiative in a 4 years and can call it as EBSB mella.
2. In Maharashtra, 3-4 district can be made together and in all it can have around 5 mellas. One in
Mumbai, one in Napgpur, one in Solapur etc.
3. Suppose, Maharashtra decide to take initiative for Tamil Nadu. In every district huge open
ground can be taken up for the initiative. Ground can have Tamil Nadu local’s sellers of their
traditional famous costumes, ornaments, glossaries etc. They can keep stage show of traditional
dance and songs. Some small amount of ticket entry can be kept like Rs.10 per person to enter
the mella. It can be distributed to dance and songs organizers. Traveler corner, food corner etc
can also be kept.
4. Strict rules will need to have that in the fest that no vulgar songs and dance will take place.
5. Go green should be the priority. Like old styled white beautiful rangoli’s are famous in South
India. It can be shown. Suppose any state take initiative for Maharashtra then they can show to
make beautiful Ganesh idols of sand.
6. One big open letter box should be kept for all. Anyone can put their suggestions in this box for
either Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu. It can have requirement of their place or complain of
something went wrong. This will show the involvement of common man in mella. State
government will collect the data and filter out data on which they think they can take action.
Action taken should be the goal for state government for next mellas.
7. Good players should also show up their talents during the fest. Like Tamil Nadu best players can
visit mellas in Maharashtra on rotation. Suppose, in allover Maharashtra keeps 5 mellas then in
two weeks they can rotate all 5 mellas.
8. Suppose Maharashtra get Tamil Nadu and same year if Tamil Nadu has faced any natural
calamity, Maharashtra will mainly have one major action to help them.
Artifact on identifying role of central government and state governments in implementing the program:
1. Every state CM will pick up one chit from a box. In box one will keep chit with each state name.
So no state will have any argument in having which state to represent.
2. State government will be part of deciding places, security, identifying traditional and nontraditional stuffs etc.
3. Collected issues of people should be the goal of the respective state government for next cycle
of the mella.
4. Central government will help state governments to achieve the actions for state government till
next Mella.
5. Central government will also inform states which are the major issues which can be added in the
mella. Like stop using loud crackers, without crackers also how Diwali can be celebrated etc.
Artifact on Use of modern communication tools, including social media:
Media can be used to advertize fest details. How people can participate. What will be the traditional
costumes etc.