Centre to observe 'Qaumi Ekta Week' from Sunday

The government on Friday said it will observe "Qaumi Ekta Week" (National Integration Week) from Sunday to foster and reinforce the spirit of communal harmony, national integration and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood.

"The observation of Qaumi 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," a Home Ministry statement said.

The occasion, to be observed from November 19 to 25, would 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, it said.

The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation with the Home Ministry, organises communal harmony campaign coinciding with the Qaumi Ekta Week and observes the Communal Harmony Flag Day on November 25.

"The Foundation promotes communal harmony and strengthens national integration. It also provides financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation of children rendered orphan or destitute in communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence," the statement said.

It said that first day of the Qaumi Ekta Week would be observed as National Integration Day, and programmes like meetings, symposia and seminars would be organised to emphasise the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence.

The next day will be observed as Welfare of Minorities Day and items of the 15 point programme are emphasised on this day.

November 21 will be observed as Linguistic Harmony Day, in which programmes like special literary functions will be organised to enable people of each region to appreciate the linguistic heritage of other parts of India.

November 22 will be observed as Weaker Sections Day and November 23 as Cultural Unity Day.

November 24 will be observed as Women's Day while the last day, November 25, of Qaumi Ekta Week will be observed as Conservation Day and several meetings and functions will be organised to emphasise the growing need for awareness and action to conserve the environment.

--IANS

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