NEW DELHI (INDIA): The Jayanti of the ‘Iron Man of India’ and ‘Unifier of India’ will be celebrated across the country for a week from October 31st, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Government last year decided to observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as ‘Ekta Diwas’.
Minister of Information & Broadcasting M.Venkaiah Naidu held two rounds of discussions with union ministers in this regard and firmed the activities to be undertaken during the week beginning October 31st today.
On October 31, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will pay tributes to Sardar Patel at Patel Statue and later in Parliament House . Later, he will release a Commemorative Stamp at a programme to be held at India Gate at 3 pm. He will also administer Ekta Pledge and flag off ‘Unity Run’. Prime Minister will also release a Digital Film on the life of Sardar Patel at a programme to be organized by the Ministry of Culture at Pragati Maidan.
In all the government offices, ‘Ekta Pledge’ will be administered on October 31. Essay writing, Elocution, Painting and Slogan writing competitions will be held in schools and colleges recalling Sardar Patel’s contribution to unification of India, during the week till November 6, 2016.
All central ministers will visit different parts of the country during the week garlanding Patel Statutes and holding public meetings. All central ministries and departments will organize appropriate programmes including administering ‘Ekta Pledge’ and will display his photos with the caption “A Grateful Nation Salutes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, The Pioneer of National Unity”.
Doordarshan and All India Rao will mount special programmes on the life and works of Sardar Patel using archival material beginning this week.
Shri Venkaiah Naidu today reviewed with all concerned agencies the arrangements for PM’s programmes in Delhi on October 31. Over 10,000 people including general public, sports persons, Ex-servicemen, Students are expected to attend the public meeting.
Union Minister Prakash Javdekar, senior officials of the Ministries of Urban Development, Information & Broadcasting, Home Affairs, Delhi Police, NDMC, Sports Authority of India attended the meeting.
Home MinisterRajnath Singh has written to all the Chief Ministers suggesting to organize appropriate programmes recalling the life and works of Sardar Patel and use the occasion to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of the country.