By Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Apr 29: Ahead of the Maharashtra State Foundation Day, State Governor C P Radhakrishnan presided over a Reception for the diplomatic fraternity of Mumbai at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday (April 29).

The Reception for the diplomats was organised by the State Protocol Department at the instance of Minister of Protocol Jaykumar Rawal.

Consuls general and honorary consuls from more than 70 countries joined the Governor in paying their homage to the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam by observing a one minute silence.

Governor Radhakrishnan and Minister Jaykumar Rawal then personally met and greeted all the Consuls and Honorary Consuls.

Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Prof. Ram Shinde, Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Minister of Skill Development Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, Textile Minister Sanjay Sawkare, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary Protocol Manisha Mhaiskar, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, BMC Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, along with senior officials from various departments were present.

After the rendition of National Anthem and state song by the police band, secretary to the governor Dr Prashant Narnavare, formally welcomed the consular corps. The reception concluded with the rendition of the National Anthem.