Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrated across Arunachal
Itanagar: The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) commemorating the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India, was observed today across Arunachal Pradesh.
Participating in the National Unity Day event at Raj Bhavan here, Chief Secretary Dharmendra said that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas provides an opportunity to strengthen the spirit of unity and nationalism amongst the people.
He said at the time of Independence, there were 17 British Indian provinces, and more than 560 princely states, comprising about two-fifth of the geographic territory of the country.
While the Indian Independence Act ceded control of British India to the Indian Government, rulers of the Princely States were given the option to decide whether they wanted to accede to India or Pakistan or neither. Sardar Patel stepped in to ensure the accession of the princely states and integrate them into the Union of India through diplomacy or force.
He said that the onus is now on the present and future generations of the country to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation which have been passed on to them by the forbearers of India’s freedom struggle.
He appealed to the people to work and contribute towards national solidarity, development and progress of the nation.
The Chief Secretary administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge to the participants. He also gave away prizes to the winners of the ‘Unity Run’, which was conducted by the Governor’s Secretariat.
Secretary to Governor Darade Shard Bhaskar, IPS, who flagged off the Run in the morning, also spoke.
ITBP personnel Ram Pratap Singh, Sang Machi and Pritam Kumar won the first, second and third prizes respectively.
To mark National Unity Day, a street show with a mass procession themed ‘Unity in Diversity was organized in Itanagar by the Directorate of Sports in collaboration with NYKS, Arunachal Unit and Department of Posts, Arunachal Pradesh.
The procession culminated at the residence of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung where the main event was held.
Gracing the occasion, Natung said that Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to the Nation cannot be ignored at any cost. His contribution shall remain forever.
He mentioned that “our race, religion & region may be different but we are one – ‘Anekta Mein Ekta’.
A Unity Pledge was administered on the occasion and a one-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those persons who lost their lives in the suspension bridge collapse incident that occurred in Morbi, Gujarat last evening.
On the occasion of National Unity Day, the Khonsa Battalion of Assam Rifles in collaboration with the Tirap district administration conducted ‘Run for Unity’ at Khonsa town.
The mini marathon covering 4 km from Khonsa market taxi stand to Nehru Stadium, Khonsa was organized to drive home the values of unity to the youth of the district, as propagated by the great national leader through his actions that resulted in a united India.
A total of 550 students from various schools of Khonsa and youth of nearby villages participated in the event. Assam Rifles troops also joined the event conducted under two categories – 10 km for boys and 5 km for girls, to motivate the runners.
The winners of both categories were felicitated with cash prizes and medals by AR Commandant, Col Aman Ahluwalia and Tirap SP Kardak Riba.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and a ‘pledge of unity’ was taken by all the participants.(UNI)