Sadbhavana Diwas, also known as Harmony Day, is observed annually on 20 August in India. The day is dedicated to promoting communal harmony, peace, and national integration. In 2024, Sadbhavana Diwas will continue to honour the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, who was a staunch advocate of these values. Sadbhavana Diwas 2024 will commemorate Rajiv Gandhi’s 80th birth anniversary this year.
Tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his birth anniversary.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 20, 2024
History
Sadbhavana Diwas was established to honour the memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, who was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He was the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944. At 40, he became the Prime Minister in the history of the country. He became the PM following the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi.
देश के राजीव pic.twitter.com/Oa3u2y69W1
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 20, 2024
Rajiv Gandhi made significant contributions to help India progress. In 1985, Rajiv Gandhi, as Prime Minister, introduced the anti-defection law. This legislation prohibited elected Members of Parliament and legislative assemblies from switching to opposition parties until the next election, aiming to stabilize political alliances and prevent opportunistic defections. In 1986, he launched a National Policy on Education. In the same year, he established the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya system. During his five-year tenure, MTNL and PCOs (public call offices), among many other initiatives, were established.
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Significance
Sadbhavana Diwas holds immense significance as it underscores the need for peace, harmony, and tolerance in a diverse and multicultural society like India. The day is dedicated to promoting communal harmony, national integration, and a sense of oneness among all Indians. It encourages people to rise above regional, linguistic, and religious differences and work together for the nation's progress.
The significance of Sadbhavana Diwas is rooted in Rajiv Gandhi's commitment to these ideals. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he worked towards bridging divides and fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society. The day is marked by various activities, including seminars, discussions, and events aimed at reinforcing the values of unity and peace that Rajiv Gandhi championed.
Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award
One of the key aspects of Sadbhavana Diwas is the presentation of the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award. Established in 1992, this award is given annually to individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to promoting communal harmony, national integration, and peace.
Some of the notable Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award winners include Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, Jagan Nath Kaul, Kapila Vatsyanan, S.N.Subba Rao, Nirmala Deshpande, Swami Agnivesh, Hem Dutta, N Radhakrishnan, D.R Mehta, Amjad Ali Khan, Muzaffar Ali, Mohammad Azharuddin, M.Gopala Krishna, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Shubha Mudgal, SPIC MACAY, Wahiddun Khan, and Gautam Bhai.
The award recognises the efforts of those who embody Rajiv Gandhi’s vision and work towards fostering a spirit of understanding and cooperation among different communities. It serves as a means to honour and encourage those who strive to advance the values of peace and unity in society.
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