Our Correspondents
Kohima / Mokokchung, Oct. 31 (EMN): Government agencies and establishments in the districts of Nagaland observed National Unity Day or ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas,’ on the occasion of the 144th birth anniversary of the ‘Iron Man of India’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The National Unity Day was introduced by the government of India in 2014.
Abhijit Sinha, principal secretary for Home, said that the day was observed on Patel’s birth anniversary to commemorate his persistent efforts to unite India. He was speaking at an official function commemorating Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, which was conducted on Oct. 31 at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat’s conference hall in Kohima.
Sinha also administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge, which reads: “I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen.
“I take this pledge in the spirit of unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure internal security of my country.”
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also tweeted: ‘The real strength of a nation comes from its people. On National Unity Day, let us reaffirm our individual and political will to work towards unity because there is beauty and power in unity and we are, truly, as strong as we are united.’
Mokokchung
The District Executive Force (DEF) of Mokokchung police and the 44th Assam Rifles conducted a marathon on Thursday in commemoration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in Mokokchung.
A press release from the superintendent of Mokokchung police stated that the race was flagged off at 6:00 am from the police point to Tongdentsuyong ward, QMHSS to Imkongmeren Sports complex.
More than 70 runners from the Mokokchung DEF, a group called the Run Mokokchung, and the 164th battalion of the Territorial Army, 44th Assam Rifles and various nongovernmental organisations in Mokokchung town participated in the marathon race, it stated.
