New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- The legacy of armed Naxalism will be a focal point of this year's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations, set to be held on October 31 at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, with over 5,000 people from 126 districts affected by the insurgency set to participate.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan announced that all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police forces will perform a march-past before Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the event.
A notable segment of the day's proceedings will involve a dramatic enactment involving nearly 2,000 artists from districts impacted by Naxalism.
This performance, organised by the National School of Drama, seeks to depict the environment in which locals lived during the peak of the insurgency, including the threat to life and property posed by militants.
The celebrations will also feature tableaux showcasing the 150th year of 'Vande Mataram'. Artists from the National
School of Drama will stage a play on the theme, Mohan said.
Mohan stated that the involvement of these artists would provide a first-hand perspective on the Naxal-affected regions for all attendees of the event.
The programme has been designed to showcase the effect that the insurgency had on local populations through a series of performances.
The gathering will include locals from Naxal-hit regions and security forces involved in the fight against the insurgency, who will participate in the wider program celebrating national unity and India's victory over armed extremism.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated annually on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Since 2019, the event has been hosted at Ekta Nagar - the location of the Statue of Unity - and includes a parade, cultural programs, and other activities in which the Prime Minister participates.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.