Srinagar, Oct 29 (HS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the observance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) across Jammu and Kashmir.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed annually on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and commemorate his contribution to the political integration and unification of India.

During the meeting, Sinha directed senior officials to ensure smooth and peaceful arrangements for the ‘Run for Unity’ and the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge across the Union Territory.

Emphasising broad public participation, the Lieutenant Governor called for the involvement of schoolchildren, youth, security personnel and people from all sections of society in the programmes, with the objective of promoting the spirit of national unity and the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative.

He also directed officials to organise unity runs and ceremonial parades at district headquarters and police stations across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor further called for National Unity Day programmes to be organised in prisons across the Union Territory.

The annual observance seeks to highlight the importance of unity and integrity while remembering Sardar Patel's role in bringing together the princely states in the aftermath of Independence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat