Imphal: Manipur joined the nation in observing Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) today at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, chief minister Nongthombam Biren stated that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has been observed all over the country on October 31, every year since 2014 under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who took a major role in the political integration of India and making India a strong nation.
He mentioned that Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel always stood against the oppressive rule of the British, adding that the freedom fighter took a leading role in various movements including Non-violent, Civil Disobedience, Peasants’ Movement and Quit India Movement among others, under Gandhian Principle.
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“As the first home minister of India after the attainment of Independence, Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel took a major role in relief and rehabilitation of refugees after the partition,” N Biren added. He continued that the freedom fighter is also known as Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servant for introducing Modern All India Services. One of his significant gifts to the country is the integration of British Provinces and more than 500 Independent Princely States under the Indian Independence Act 1947, making India united and strong, the chief minister stated.
Chief minister N Biren maintained that the state government, following the ideals of the freedom fighter, had been working hard with a firm stand to protect the unity and integrity of Manipur and to make the state a developed one. Mentioning that this is not the time to go with vested interest and have narrow political vision and spread hatred among people, he stressed the need for everyone to go together in a positive and constructive way.
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Through this, we maintain peace and unity in the state, he added. The chief minister also raised concern on the deteriorating state of environment and climate change, stating that we, as humans, should maintain an ecological balance with nature. Mentioning the change in the pattern of precipitation and weather due to human factors like large scale deforestation, he urged everyone to work together in preserving nature and the environment.
Maintaining that the state government had been taking up various initiatives for the welfare of its people, N Biren appealed to the public to forgive and forget all that had already happened and to join hands to restore peace in the state. He also expressed that political differences, if any, could be sorted out through talks. He further appealed to the media fraternity to not publish press notes of any unauthorised or unrecognised organisation, which could hurt sentiments of any community or create tensions among different communities. Urging the public not to express whatever they want on media platforms, which could instigate enmity among people, he stressed the responsibility of everyone as citizens in maintaining peace and tranquility.
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On his arrival at the venue, the chief minister took the general salute and later inspected the parade consisting of 9 contingents. The march past contingents, which was commanded by Special Assistant Inspector General (Legal), Police Headquarters Nepram Netrajit, MPS, were from Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Combined Manipur Rifles (Male), Combined Indian Reserve Battalion (Male), Civil Police Imphal West (Male), Civil Police Imphal East (Male), 9th Indian Reserve (Mahila), NCC Boys and Girls and 65 NCC Girls. During the observation, the chief minister led everyone present in the venue in taking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge. Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, director general of police, senior civil and police officials and senior officers of paramilitary forces attended the programme.
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