Since 2014, National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is celebrated on 31st October every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a visionary freedom fighter-leader who played an important role in national integration after the independence of India. His contribution to convincing many of the princely states to join the Union of India after Independence remains especially notable. This year a weeklong Festival of Unity is being organised under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav leading up to this special day. The programs envisaged are also synced to the Pran of Unity which is part of ‘Panch Pran’ articulated by the hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech. A series of physical and digital programs and activations have been conceptualized as part of this weeklong festival.
- DIGITAL PROGRAMMES EKTA SHRINKHALA
This digital activation is based on the premise that ‘we reach out to each other by extending our hands'. It envisages making the longest virtual e-human chain holding hands on Ekta Diwas.
- PHYSICAL PROGRAMMES HUMAN UNITY CHAINS
These include amongst others Creation of Unity Human Chains across the country in physical and digital modes. Unity Chains are fashioned on the belief that we reach out to each other by extending our hands literally and metaphorically. By being part of these human unity chains in physical and/ or virtual mode Indians across the globe with reaffirming their commitment to work towards the unity and betterment of the country.
UNITY CONCERTS
The festivities will also witness Unity Concerts curated in Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat mode with popular artistic and musical traditions of paired states being celebrated in full fervor and glory. Unity Concerts will not only be held in India but also across the globe to take India’s message of universal harmony as part of a special initiative during the commemoration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
UNITY RUNS
Run for Unity has been a key pillar of activities connected to Ekta Diwas for the past few years. This year the program envisages holding 75000 runs across the country as a special tribute to India’s 75th anniversary of independence by conducting 100 runs per district across 750 districts of India..
UNITY CYCLE RALLIES
During the weeklong Festival of Unity, there will be a series of Cycle Rallies across India with the participation of people from all walks of life. Besides encouraging people towards a fitness-based lifestyle these rallies would spread the message of Unity across the country crisscrossing from one end of the country to another.
NUKKAD NATAK
To familiarize the younger generation, especially with the contribution of the Iron Man of India Nukkad Nataks specially dedicated to Sardar Patel will be organised across 75 locations across India as part of the Festival of Unity under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
UNITY BIKE RALLIES
Unity Bike Rallies will be a key component of the Festival of Unity bringing together different biking enthusiasts and groups to celebrate the spirit of unity.
SPECIAL PROGRAMME AT KEVADIA
A special finale program to the weeklong festivities is being organised to pay tribute to the vision and contribution of Sardar Vallabhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat on 31st October. The program will see a series of choreographed performances and musical renditions highlighting different aspects of Sardar Patel’s life and personality.
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