PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday urged Biharis in the State to adopt and adjust to local Goan culture which he said is distinct, peaceful and respects equality among religious communities.
Sawant was speaking at a 'Bihar Day' event organised by the BJP State unit in the capital city.
This is the first time that 'Bihar Day' was observed by the saffron party in Goa and Sawant signalled the political motive of it when during his address said that Bihar will progress if a BJP government comes back to power again there.
State assembly elections are due later this year in Bihar.
"The BJP believes in Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. Many Biharis are currently residing in Goa for work. They should understand the culture here. Goans are peace-loving, consider guests as God, do not quarrel and love the people who come here," Sawant said while addressing the jam-packed gathering at the Institute Menezes Braganza hall.
"Some people with roots in Bihar are second-generation residents of Goa. They have adopted the Goan culture. Other people coming here to work from Bihar should likewise follow the Goan culture," Sawant said further.
Also present on the dais at the event was Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Sheth, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade and BJP state president Damu Naik.
Sawant also urged the audience, comprising mostly of Biharis, to explain to those coming here for work from their State about the peace-loving culture here.
"When a crime takes place here, you won't like it when people say that a person from Bihar has committed the crime. So explain to your brethren coming to work about the culture here," he said.
"Although Bihar is your birthplace, Goa is your workplace. The contribution of the people of Bihar is essential in keeping the environment of Goa clean and beautiful," Sawant said.
Bihar the land of Bhagvan Buddh, Bhagvan Mahavir and Madhubani paintings among others has immense contribution to the socio-cultural development of India, he added.
