Shimla, August 19: The Himachal Pradesh government has directed its officials to take a pledge to promote national integration and communal harmony among people of all religions, languages and regions on the occasion of the 80th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on August 20.

According to an official notice from the Chief Secretary to the government of Himachal Pradesh, "I am directed to say that the birth anniversary of late Rajiv Gandhi will be celebrated as 'Sadbhavana Diwas' on August 20. The theme of Sadbhavana is to promote national integration and communal harmony among people of all religions, languages and regions." Rajiv Gandhi Birth Anniversary 2024: Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar To Join Mallikarjun Kharge for Former Indian PM’s 80th Birth Anniversary on August 20 in Mumbai.

"The idea behind the observance of "Sadbhavana Diwas" is to eschew violence and to promote goodwill among the people. All employees shall be administered the "Sadbhavana Pledge" at 11 am on Tuesday in offices," it said.

"I take this solemn pledge that I will work for the emotional oneness and harmony of all the people of India, regardless of caste, region, religion or language. I further pledge that I shall resolve all differences among us through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence," read the 'Sadbhavana Pledge.'

Rajiv Gandhi took over the charge of the Congress in 1984, following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40.

Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.

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