HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 31: “Sardar Patel made the biggest contribution to the making of United Bharat. It is his contribution that today people cutting across of all regions, caste, community, language and religions are living in absolute unity in India,” said Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi while attending a function held on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at State War Memorial, Dighalipukhuri on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Mukhi said, “Sardar Patel played a crucial role in convincing several princely states to join the Indian Union after independence. Due to Patel’s decisive role in integrating India, the country is known as the Union of India. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated as a tribute to the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The merger of more than 560 princely states into India was an impossible task that Sardar Patel had done.”
The Governor also said, “Today there is a need to explain to the youth of the country how important unity is for us. As an acknowledgement to the unique unity that our country is enjoying, it is very important to have National Unity Day. This occasion inspires the youth to work to strengthen the cohesiveness of the country.”
Prof Mukhi also said, “The day is also important for the Indian Administrative Services as Sardar Patel introduced the ‘Modern All India Service System’ that was formerly known as the Indian Civil Service.”
“Peace, prosperity and unity are important for the development of a country. India has a unique feature that people of different castes, religions and sects live here and different languages are spoken in different regions, yet we Indians understand each other well, respect them, and support each other in happiness and sorrow. We are giving and living happily together,” the Governor added.
Prof Mukhi on the occasion also hailed the role of the defence personnel. Complimenting the men in uniform from Assam and other North Eastern states in infusing the sense of patriotism, the Governor said that since independence soldiers from the region have rendered meritorious and distinguished services. Their heroic achievements during wars and combating cross border terrorism are commendable. As of today, the state has approximately 39607 ex-servicemen, 7614 widows, 112 war widows/veer naris and 78 war disabled.
The Governor said that the government is ensuring their welfare, rehabilitation and wellbeing through 19 Zila Sainik welfare offices under the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam. The men in uniform irrespective of their caste, creed, religion etc play an important role in ensuring peace and harmony. The Governor also exuded hope that this unity with the passage of time will become stronger for the country to reach a commendable height.
Prof Mukhi also requested the ex-servicemen to come forward and use their experience for the development of their local areas. He also urged them to help the younger generation to inculcate in them the love for the motherland and the feeling of nationalism in them.
Prof Mukhi also reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s desire, requested the cross-section of the society to come forward and join the journey of ‘Jan Bhagidari’ to strengthen the foundation of ‘Athmanirbhar Bharat’.
He said, “Today, our nation stands as an example to the world. Our government is working to share the benefit of our economic growth to all sections of the people.”
Chief secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur, principal secretary GAD Avinash Joshi, Air Commodore Atul Saggar, ADGP Munna Gupta, Major General Rajesh Kumar Jha, Group Captain Kanak Chandra Kalita, ex-servicemen, parents of martyrs and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Our Haflong correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the nation, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was observed on Monday at DSA playground Haflong, organised by the district administration in collaboration with the Education department and Sports & Youth Welfare department, Dima Hasao.
NCHAC chairperson Ranu Langthasa attended the programme as the chief guest along with NCHAC executive member Bijit Langthasa, principal secretary Thai Tsho Daulagupu and other dignitaries.
The programme began with the warm welcome speech addressed by deputy commissioner Nazreen Ahmed followed by speech from chairperson NCHAC, Ranu Langthasa.
Addressing the students, she spoke about how youth should be involved in nation building by making good practices as their habits. Terming today’s world as a great challenge due to all unnecessary and negativity available through mass media especially the internet, she said it has become very essential for the youth as well as their teachers and parents to be cautious. She also spoke in length about the sacrifices and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
After the speech from the chief guest, a pledge taking ceremony was held which was administered by the chairperson Ranu Langthasa.
The programme ended after the flagging of ‘Unity Run’ in which students from different schools took an active part. Similar run was also organised at different locations of Dima Hasao district in which students from different schools participated in the event.
The central programme at NL Daulagupu was attended by ADCs, assistant commissioner, principal of Haflong Government College and other institutions, teachers, professors, media persons, etc.
Our Biswanath Chariali correspondent adds: Biswanath district Administration on Monday organised a ‘Run for Unity’ to commemorate National Unity Day on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The ‘Run for Unity’ was organised by Biswanath district administration in collaboration with Biswanath College on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an active fighter of the Indian Freedom Movement and one of the founders of Indian democracy.
The teachers and students of Biswanath College, Biswanath Agricultural College and other educational institutions participated in the event. Munindra Nath Nagatey, the deputy commissioner of Biswanath administered the oath of the day and inaugurated the run for unity.
The event was attended by Amarjyoti Borthakur, mayor of Biswanath Municipal Board; Dr Chinta Mani Sharma, principal of Biswanath College; Dr Ranendranath Barman, dean, Biswanath College of Agriculture; Khanindra Mudoi, sports officer, Biswanath; Rabiram Ingti, jailor, Biswanath; Liza Talukdar, ADC, Biswanath; Debashish Goswami, election officer; Ananya Lahkar and Kangkana Saikia, assistant commissioners and others were present. Biswanath district administration paid tribute to the visionary leader and recalled the great deeds of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by conducting a special program for unity.
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Our Margherita correspondent adds: The Indian Army unit of Lekhapani, on Monday, organised National Unity Day on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The event was organised by the Indian Army under the supervision of Major Hitesh Mehta of 12th Assam Rifles to keep the ideals of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel alive among the villagers and students of Hachak area.
The program began with the lighting of earthen lamps and floral tribute at the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
A marathon race was held among the youth of the village and speeches were made on the ideals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his sacrifices and contributions towards the country.
Major Hitesh Mehta of 12th Assam Rifles of Indian Army, officers and soldiers of the cantonment thanked the Indian Army team for celebrating National Unity Day on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel with the cooperation of the local villagers.
Our Demow correspondent adds: On the occasion of the 147th anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was the first Home Minister of the Indian Republic, Iron Man of India, ‘Run for Unity’ was observed in Demow on Monday.
The school students of Demow gathered in Demow Public Playground to take part in ‘Run for Unity’ on Monday morning.
Thowra MLA Sushanta Borgohain flagged off the programme in Demow Public Playground.
Our Tezpur correspondent adds: With the rest of the nation, district administration, army, ITBP, NCC, schools and colleges and other organisations organised the ‘Run for Unity’ marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary which was celebrated as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ on Monday.
The Union minister, Law & Justice, government of India, Kiren Rijiju flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ that started from Kaliabhomora Bridge Sonitpur side which later culminated at the southern part of the bridge. The event was organised by the Sonitpur district administration in association with the Nagaon district administration and among others it was also participated by local MLA, Prithviraj Rabha; Ritubaran Sarmah, chairman, AMTRON and a number of district administrative officials.
Likewise different schools and colleges in and around Tezpur town and NCC also celebrated the day with the participation of the students and teachers. Moreover, jawans of the ITBP, Bihaguri also celebrated the day by holding a rally in the Bihaguri area.
Our Jorhat correspondent adds: The Jorhat district administration, on Monday, observed the 147th birth anniversary of freedom fighter and India’s first Home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as National Unity Day with a ‘Run for Unity’ and other programmes.
Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary has been observed as National Unity Day since 2014.
The run was flagged off from Jorhat stadium by Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and was participated in by Jorhat deputy commissioner, Ashok Kumar Barman, Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, Jorhat SP Mohanlal Meena, other district administration officials, teachers, students and common people.
An official said that the ‘Run for Unity’ was organised in 130 other places in the district adding that the Sports and Education departments actively supported the programme.
The official further said that Jorhat DC later administered a pledge of unity and national security of the nation to district administration officials at the DC’s office complex.
The official further said that this pledge was also taken in all educational institutions and government offices.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the country, district administration of Nagaon in association with district sports department celebrated the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister as well as the first Union Home minister of India as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ here at Nagaon on Monday.
As part of the celebration, the administration organised a mass running event ‘Run for unity’ from Nagaon Nurul Amin Stadium.
Local MLA Rupak Sarma ceremonially flagged off the event. Hundreds of students from various educational institutions, colleges, senior citizens, social organisations, officials as well as employees of various government offices participated in the event and also administered the oath to maintain the unity, integrity and security of the nation during the programme, a release added.
Meanwhile, the leading institutes of higher education of the small town like the historic Nowgong College (autonomous) and Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Vishwavidyalaya also celebrated the day in a befitting manner. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the historic Nowgong College (autonomous) in association with NSS units celebrated the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as Rashtriya Ekta Divas with a slew of activities and also organized ‘Run for Unity’ among the college fraternity in which 150 NSS volunteers, students, faculty members as well as non-teaching staff participated.
The proceedings of the programme were initiated by Dr Bhuban Chandra Chutia and Dr Sarat Borkatoki, principal of the college flagged off the event.
Similarly, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Vishwavidyalaya, as part of celebration of the day, took out a rally from the university campus throughout the town. Besides, right after the rally, the university also took the oath of unity and solidarity under the auspices of the national service scheme. In a joint venture, departments of Sociology and Economics also organised an open session in the afternoon at the university auditorium where Prof Mridul Hazarika, vice chancellor of the university highlighted the contributions as well as the ideals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel saying that unity is strength and it requires in all spheres of life, another release added.
