New Delhi, November 19: In a bid to foster and reinforce the spirit of communal harmony, the government will observe the 'National Integration Week' across the country beginning November 19 till November 25. During the National Integration Week, also known as 'Qaumi Ekta Week', various events will be celebrated across the nation. The government will organise meetings and seminars during the week to emphasise on themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence.

The Qaumi Ekta Week will be observed all over the country, from the 19th to 25 November, 2017. The week-long programmes during the 'Qaumi Ekta Week', will include several programmes marking each day of the special week. The week-long programmes to be observed during Qaumi Ekta Week will be as under:

Day-Wise Schedule of National Integration Week or Qaumi Ekta Week:

  1. On November 19, the nation will observe the 'National Integration Day' during which meetings, symposia and seminars will be organised with an aim to emphasize the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence.

  2. November 20 will be observed as 'Welfare of Minorities Day' in which items of the 15 Point Programme may be emphasized. Also, in riot-prone towns, special fraternal processions may be taken out.

  3. November 21 will be observed as "Linguistic Harmony Day" when special literary functions and 'Kavi Sammelans' will be organised to enable people of each region to appreciate the linguistic heritage of other parts of India.

  4. November 22 will be observed as "Weaker Sections Day" during which meetings and rallies will be organised. These meetings will highlight programmes under various governments which help SCs/STs and weaker sections with particular emphasis on the distribution of surplus land to landless labourers.

  5. November 23 will be observed as "Cultural Unity Day" and cultural functions will be organised to present the Indian tradition of unity in diversity and for promoting cultural conservation and integration.

  6. November 24 will be observed as "Women's Day" when the role of women in Indian society and in development of nation-building will be highlighted.

  7. November 25 will be observed as "Conservation Day" when several meetings and functions will be organised to emphasise the growing need for awareness and action to conserve the environment.

Every year, the Quami Ekta Week is celebrated to promote unity in the country of diversity. India has around 66 languages, 22 religions, 28 states and several tribal communities. Indira Gandhi 101st Birth Anniversary: PM Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Other Leaders Pay Tribute to the Iron Lady of India. 

According to a government release, the observation of the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ will help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of our country, and nurture a spirit of communal harmony in its widest sense. This occasion also provides an opportunity to reaffirm age-old traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 19, 2018 09:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).