Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Democratic Alliance government is all set to roll out its next mega-event: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Integration Day), to mark Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on October 31.
"This occasion will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country," said a note issued by the Press Information Bureau.
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah held an informal meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani along with other BJP leaders on Wednesday to discuss strategies to ensure that the event resonate with citizens.
Modi will participate in the event in Delhi and deliver a speech about Sardar Patel that will be aired on Doordarshan.
Maintaining unity
To mark the occasion, staff at government offices, Public Sector Undertakings and students will be requred to make a pledge "to maintain the unity," the PIB said.
“I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen," the pledge reads. "I take this pledge in the spirit of unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure internal security of my country.”
The University Grants Commission on October 22 notified the Vice Chancellors of all central, state, private and deemed universities to organise events in their institutions to celebrate Patel’s birth anniversary along as National Integration Day.
“We are all aware of Sardar Patel’s contributions to India’s unity, safety and security,” reads the notification issued by Chairman of the UGC, Ved Prakash. "As a mark of honour, you are requested to organise different events on October 31 on the campus."
Colleges in Delhi have already started brainstorming about the events and programme to be organised for October 31. “We will be showing a short film on Sardar Patel and will also hold a debate session,” said Dr Rajendra Prasad, principal of Ramjas College in North Campus, Delhi. Meanwhile, a panel of historians and other academicians will hold a panel discussion as Dr Zakir Husain College, according to a professor of the college.
The central government also plans to rename older schemes named after Patel. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, for instance, will be called Sardar Patel Development Mission, an official said.
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"This occasion will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country," said a note issued by the Press Information Bureau.
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah held an informal meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani along with other BJP leaders on Wednesday to discuss strategies to ensure that the event resonate with citizens.
Modi will participate in the event in Delhi and deliver a speech about Sardar Patel that will be aired on Doordarshan.
Maintaining unity
To mark the occasion, staff at government offices, Public Sector Undertakings and students will be requred to make a pledge "to maintain the unity," the PIB said.
“I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen," the pledge reads. "I take this pledge in the spirit of unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure internal security of my country.”
The University Grants Commission on October 22 notified the Vice Chancellors of all central, state, private and deemed universities to organise events in their institutions to celebrate Patel’s birth anniversary along as National Integration Day.
“We are all aware of Sardar Patel’s contributions to India’s unity, safety and security,” reads the notification issued by Chairman of the UGC, Ved Prakash. "As a mark of honour, you are requested to organise different events on October 31 on the campus."
Colleges in Delhi have already started brainstorming about the events and programme to be organised for October 31. “We will be showing a short film on Sardar Patel and will also hold a debate session,” said Dr Rajendra Prasad, principal of Ramjas College in North Campus, Delhi. Meanwhile, a panel of historians and other academicians will hold a panel discussion as Dr Zakir Husain College, according to a professor of the college.
The central government also plans to rename older schemes named after Patel. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, for instance, will be called Sardar Patel Development Mission, an official said.