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          Patna, March 21 (IANS) The historic Gandhi Maidan here is being   readied for grand celebrations to mark Bihar Divas Tuesday in memory of the day   when the British carved out the state from the Bengal Presidency March 22,   1912.In Patna, thousands of people are expected to gather at the   historic grounds from Tuesday to Thursday, an official from the department of   art, culture and youth affairs said.
 |  "It has been completely changed. Dozens of artists, including foreigners, have   decorated it like never before to depict the rich culture, tradition and   heritage of Bihar," said Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary, human resource   development.
 The main entrance gate - 30 ft high and 80 ft wide - is   being constructed with images depicting the essence of rural Bihar.
 
 "Artists have chosen to decorate the gateway with Tikuli and Manjusha   art along with Madhubani paintings, all popular art forms from Bihar," said   Shouvik Narayan of Kosha Fantasies, one of the three artist groups engaged in   the decoration work.
 
 Two showcase gates on Bihar's popular festival of   Chhath and rural game jhijhia have also been made.
 
 A brainchild of Chief   Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Divas was first celebrated in 2010.
 Tuesday has   been declared a public holiday in the state.
 
 Nitish Kumar will kickstart   the celebrations by floating 99 lamps to mark the 99th anniversary of Bihar. He   has declared that the state will mark its centenary in 2012 with programmes   throughout the year.
 
 The chief minister has said the celebration was   planned to help advertise Bihar.
 
 
      
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