It is the citizens’ duty to maintain unity, integrity: Gov
ITANAGAR, Oct 31: Rashtriya Ekta Divas was celebrated throughout Arunachal on 31 October with great enthusiasm and fanfare. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of India.
Governor BD Mishra participated in the celebration at the Raj Bhavan here, during which he administered the National Unity Day pledge to all the members of the governor’s establishment, along with the ITBP personnel posted at the Raj Bhavan.
Greeting the people on the occasion, Mishra recalled the contributions of Sardar Patel, who is credited with achieving political integration of India immediately after independence, and who accomplished the colossal task of obtaining accession of over 562 princely states in India.
“Sardar, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, gave the present geographical visible shape to India,” the governor said.
Exhorting the people to strengthen the spirit of unity and integrity among the people of the state and the country, he said, “It is the duty of every citizen to maintain the unity and integrity passed down by the founding leaders of India’s freedom struggle, particularly Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.”
The governor, accompanied by his wife Neelam Misra, led the rashtriya ekta march, along with the officers and officials of the governor’s secretariat, staffers from various departments attached to the Raj Bhavan, and personnel of the state police and the ITBP.
‘Run for unity’ was held across the state by students, police personnel, local leaders, MLAs and government officials as part of the celebration.
The day was celebrated in Papum Pare, Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri, East Kameng, East Siang, West Kameng, Upper Siang, Tirap, and other districts.
Rashtriya Ekta Divas was also celebrated by the chief secretary’s office here, the IPR department in Naharlagun, the Regional Outreach Bureau, Itanagar, and the sports directorate in Chimpu.
The Itanagar police and Rajiv Gandhi University also celebrated the Rashtriya Ekta Divas in a befitting manner. (With input from Raj Bhavan)
