The country of India celebrates the National Integration Day every 19th of November each year. This holiday commemorates the birthday of the first woman Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. Apart from commemorating her birthday, this holiday also celebrates the love and unity of all the people in India.
About National Integration Day
The National Integration Day is an annual celebration in India wherein various programs and activities are done. They include the National Integration Camp (NIC), National Youth Award, Inter State Youth Exchange Program (ISYEP), and more. There are also seminars, symposiums, and cultural activities all conducted to give focus on the issues of national integration. People also publish their studies and researches they do in camps. Community services are also done by youths who come from different regions, backgrounds, and religions.
History
Who is Indira Gandhi?
Indira Gandhi is the first woman Prime Minister of India. She was born on November 19, 1917 in Allahabad. She was the daughter of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. She got her higher education from Vishwa Bharati University and the Oxford University.
In 1942, she got married to Feroze Gandhi. In 1955, she got an opportunity to become a Committee member of the Congress. Indira Gandhi is known for being a great political leader. Because of this, she was elected President in 1959. She also became a cabinet member of the Lal Bahadur Shastri with the title of the Minister for Information. In 1966, she became the Prime Minister of India after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji in Taskant, Russia.
Indira Gandhi played a significant role in strengthening the democratic structure and tradition of India. She handles the 1971 war against Pakistan and won it. It was also under her leadership when the Shimla Pact with Pakistani Premier Z.A. Bhutto, Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation was signed.
Also under her rule, the first nuclear tests at Pokhran were done. The first Asian Games held in New Delhi also happened under her rule. It was also during her time when the first Astronaut Squadron Leader, Rakesh Sharma, went into the outer space and significantly contributed to the growth of the Indian Space Research and Peace Nuclear Development.
Moving onto her personal life, Indira Gandhi was extremely interested in music, fine arts, and literature. In 1971, she was awarded with the great Indian Award called Bharat Ratna.
Indira Gandhi has inspired not only Indians but people from all over the world. On October 31, 1984, she unfortunately left the world by the hands of her own bodyguards who assassinated her. She was on her way to an interview when this happened. The whole nation of India was in shock of this unfortunate event. The whole world grieved.
Origin of the National Integration Day
In order to give legacy to the contributions of Indira Gandhi, especially in terms of integration, the National Integration Day was started with her birthday being chosen as the date of the celebration.
Dates
The National Integration Day is always celebrated on November 19 each year. This means that the upcoming National Integration Day will be celebrated on Friday, November 19, .
Why Celebrate
The following are the main reasons why you should participate in the celebration of the National Integration Day:
To Remember Indira Gandhi
One good reason why you should celebrate this day is that this is the most ideal day to remember Indira Gandhi. This special day of celebration was established with her birthday being chosen as the date so that people can remember her contributions especially in the area of integration.
To Continue the Efforts on Integration
Another good reason why you should celebrate this day is that it gives the message for all the people, not only in India, but all around the globe, to continue the efforts of integration – to fight against discrimination and marginalization in all their forms.
To Spread the Message of Integration All Around the World
Also a good reason to celebrate this day is that this is the opportune time to spread the message of integration to all the people in the world. By doing so, more and more people can join in the advocacy of integration so that everyone can be treated equally and everyone can have their rights kept intact.
Celebration Ideas and Activities
The following are the best things to do to make your celebration of the National Integration Day as best as it can be:
Learn More About Indira Gandhi
A good way to celebrate this day is to learn more about Indira Gandhi. You can do that by reading a biography about her. You may also be able to find some interesting documentaries and online videos about her life and contributions. For sure, doing this will let you learn a lot about her values and perhaps embody those values as well within yourself.
Advocate for Integration
You can also celebrate this day by advocating for integration – which is what Indira Gandhi has long fought for. Integration is extremely important because it helps us fight against discrimination and marginalization. All people in the world should learn that all of us are on equal grounds – that we should treat each other with respect regardless of our religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other preferences in our lives so long as we do not do harm to other people.
Celebrate on Social Media
You can also take your celebration of this day on social media. You can, for instance, use the hashtag #NationalIntegrationDay to let your friends and followers know that you are also participating in the celebration of this day. By spreading the word about this holiday in your social media accounts, you may be able to encourage more people to also take part in the celebration.
Interesting Facts
- National Integration Day is celebrated on 19th November every year in India.
- It commemorates the birth anniversary of Late Smt. Indira Gandhi who was born on the same day.
- Smt. Indira Gandhi was the first woman Prime Minister of India and a supporter of world peace and national integrity. She played a vital role in strengthening the financial as well as cultural structure of the country.
- Schools and government offices conduct many cultural events and camps on the occasion.
- National Integration Day celebrates the India’s unity in diversity culture and spreads the importance of national integrity.
- Youths from all walks of life unite together and celebrate the day to spread harmony among people.
- Many ceremonies are organised throughout the country on the occasion of National Integration Day.
- Members of all political parties pay homage to Indira Gandhi on ‘Shakti Sthal’, the resting place of her at Raj Ghat, New Delhi.
- National Integration Day promotes harmony and unity among the people of India.
Inspirational Slogans
- Unity in diversity is the credo of the nation.
- National integration gives the power of unity.
- National integration is the need of the hour.
- National integration confers strength to the nation.
- National integration makes the nation powerful.
- National integration makes the country invincible.
- National integration bestows peace and harmony upon the nation.
- National integration gives economic prosperity.
- India exemplifies national integration through peace, trust and harmony.
- National integration gives the power for economic development.
- National integration fosters growth and development of the nation.
- India believes in peace and harmony; India lives by national integration.
- National integration empowers the people.
- National integration promotes peace and harmony.
- National integration gives power and strength to the nation.
- National integration makes the nation strong.
- National integration – now and always!
- National integration is always of great importance.
- National integration brings us all together.
- In national integration lies power of the nation.
- National integration brings energy through synergy.
- Nationhood stands on national integration.
- Promote unity for national integration!
- National integration promotes strength and power of the country.
- National integration builds the power of togetherness.
- Through national integration comes peaceful co-existence.
- National integration is a unifying force.
- Say no to divisiveness; create national integration.
- National integration dispels prejudice and hatred!
- National integration brings tolerance and love of all!
- National integration gives meaning to the power of the nation.
- On national integration depends success of the nation!
- On national integration rests the nation’s glory!
- When national integration is threatened the nation is in danger.
- National integration ensures harmony for all people of the nation.
- Unity of the citizens strengthens national integration.
- National integration ensures the well being of all citizens of the nation.
- If national integration is jeopardized, the nation’s stability is in peril.
- National integration promotes national spirit.
- National integration brings the people together for growth and development.
- National integration can bring peace and prosperity to all citizens.
- If there is no national integration there is no national spirit.
- Without national integration development is unsustainable.
- Development and prosperity of the nation depend on national integration.
- National integration ensures security of the nation.
- National integration ensures the safety and security of the people.