IPRD secretary Rajesh Bhushan at the news conference in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Feb. 16: The Bihar government is going to celebrate the 99th anniversary of Bihar on March 22.

There would be various programmes across the state but the information and public relation department (IPRD) of Bihar will screen Bhojpuri films and documentaries during the anniversary.

Speaking on the occasion, IPRD secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: “On the occasion of Bihar Diwas, our department will hold Bhojpuri Film Festival on March 23, 24 and 25 which would be shown at Mona theatre. Seven Bhojpuri films would be screened in the theatre and similarly on March 25, 26 and 27, more than 12 Bhojpuri documentaries would be shown at AN Sinha Institute.”

He also said all the shows will be free of cost. “People from across the state are invited to watch Bhojpuri films and the documentaries which would be free of cost. The programme would be very different from other programmes and the motive behind organising such events is to provide a platform to Bhojpuri films and documentaries which they are deprived of,” said Bhushan.

The glorious history of Bihar, its cultural and historical heritage, traditions and achievements would be highlighted apart from the achievements of the state in recent times. The main function will be held at Gandhi Maidan where colourful and academic events would be held.

Speaking on screening of documentary films, Rajesh Bhushan said: “Bhojpuri documentaries do not get screened and we want to make it to earn a distinct identity. Our motive is to unite people through Bhojpuri cinema.”

The director of IPRD, Avadesh Kumar, said: “The celebration of the 99th Bihar Diwas will start with a three-day programme and continue through the whole of this year till March 2012, when Bihar will complete 100 years of its formation.

The grand celebration will include cultural events, folk song, dance performances, drama, kavi sammelan and food festivals at different venues like Sri Krishna Memorial Hall, Rabindra Bhavan, Kalidas Rangalaya and others.”

Till now, the department has not decided on the films and documentaries to be screened for the first time. Everything would be based on the theme of the state.

The documentaries would mostly be made by directors from the state, who have been doing research on Bihar but have not screened their documentary so far, said Avadesh.