The foundation of any country lies in its unity and integrity. It matters the most in the case of a nation with such a huge variance like India. National Unity Day India is one of the most important events to be celebrated. It is observed on the 31st of October every year.
Unity means being one of the people belonging to different religions, sects, regions, dialects, and other differences. Unity holds the greatest importance for India that is why we observe the National Unity Day annually with a different spirit each year.
National Unity Day 2020
The National Unity Day in the year 2020 is going to fall on Saturday (31st October). Because unity is a feeling that is not based on religion, caste, or any discrimination, all countrymen share a common sense in it. The nation is going to observe its 7th anniversary of National Unity Day this day. Although preparations for this event have already been made long back, it will be interesting to see what is different this year on National Unity Day from earlier years.
History
Just as the reason for celebrating every festival is due to a historical event behind it or a special person connected, the history of National Unity Day is associated with a great political personality of India.
National Unity Day is observed on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called the Iron Man of India. It was started by the Government of India in 2014 in Delhi. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has been an example of unity because he always tried to unite the country. This is the reason that on the occasion of National Unity Day, all Indians together remember and salute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The day was inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi in New Delhi. He garlanded the statue of Sardar Patel, and also started the ‘Run for Unity’ marathon.
Activities/Observance
On National Unity Day, people are taught to maintain unity and live with peace. On this day, activities related to national unity are organized at various places in the nation. All these programs are meant to promote unity among people living in different places in the country. The Run for Unity Marathon is organized in different cities, villages, and districts, giving people a unique perspective about unity. People participate in all these programs very actively.
The Prime Minister interacts with the people of the country through digital medium and tells them about the importance of National Unity Day. The achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel are also discussed, and the people pay tribute to him. People clean and decorate the statues of Sardar Patel and gather there. They collectively pay him tribute and pledge to maintain unity among them. On National Integration Day many schools, colleges, universities, and the National Cadet Corps organize various functions such as speech ceremonies, sports, and educational speeches.
In order to make aware of the importance of national unity, every person is provided with all information about it. In many schools and colleges, students participate in essay writing competitions to spread knowledge about the security and unity of the nation. Students also participate in many other activities like painting and events such as art competitions, speeches, quiz competitions, debates on many other related topics.
Objectives and Significance
National unity is a force that keeps the society connected and makes them strong. National Unity Day teaches us to live together, work, and understand each other. National Integration Day is meant to encourage people to come closer to developing a better nation. It is very important for every person to think about the benefit of the country before their benefit. National Integration Day makes people aware of unity in many cities as well as in many areas of our country.
On National Integration Day, various activities are done to develop a positive attitude towards people and their citizens. Various programs organized in schools and colleges motivate students to adopt unity and motivate others to do the same.
Unity in the country was most elevated by freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In that century, he was a person of new thinking like today’s youth. He always gave a message of unity to the country. His birthday is celebrated as National Unity Day to pay tribute to him.
Importance of Unity in India
In a country full of diversities like India, unity is most needed. People of different religions, castes, languages, civilizations, and cultures live here. Because we are all citizens of one nation, it is very important for us to have unity.
Modern India is a sovereign nation, but there are many contradictions within. This is such a transition period of Indian politics when many challenges have come together like a wall in front of our national unity and integrity. Our democratic structure has become such that private interests have increased and political professionalism has started dominating. The game of vote politics has divided the voter, and we are not been able to present a true picture of the character in front of the common man due to the politician’s act being misguided.
As a result of this, there has been disintegration in Indian society today. The political cycle has brought us to a point where nationality has become secondary and economic success has increased, in such a situation, maintaining national unity has become a challenging task.
India is our nation, and the nation is always more loving than life. The spirit of emanating from this life to a beloved India should always prevail so that its fragility and unity can be kept intact. That is why the challenge of national unity is big but it is not even difficult to remain unsolved.
Sardar Patel National Unity Award
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Unity Award was instituted on 20 September 2019 and is given to an individual or an organization for promoting unity on the national level. The award is constituted in memory of the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He is considered to be the father of unity in India.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Unity Award is presented by the President of India to any citizen without any difference of caste, religion, race, or any other. The award constitutes a medal and a Sanad. Such an important award is given on the occasion of National Unity Day.
Statue of Unity
In memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to promote unity in India, the Government of India has constructed a colossal statue of the Iron Man of India. It is located near the Narmada River in Gujarat and is the tallest statue of the world, with a height of 182 meters.
This statue is called the Statue of Unity and has succeeded in attracting tourists from all over the World. Undoubtedly, it has increased tourism in India and made the people of the nation proud of themselves.
The construction work of the Statue of Unity had started on 31 October 2013 and completed on 30 October 2018, after five years.
Conclusion
National Unity Day is a national event for all of us. The participation of every individual in making its objective meets counts. We should participate in every programme to be held on the day and share our opinion as well. We should also support unity and inspire others to have it too. The nation will exist only when there exists national unity among people.