National Integration Week celebrations to start tomorrow

The celebrations of National Integration Week (Qaumi Ekta Week) will start tomorrow in the shadow of debate over intolerance in the country.
A Communal Harmony campaign organised by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Communal Harmony Flag Day on November 25th will be part of the celebrations.
"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," Home Ministry spokesperson said.
The week will start tomorrow with National Integration Day and programmes like meetings, symposia and seminars to emphasise the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence.

"November 20 will be observed as Welfare of Minorities Day and items of the 15 Point Programme are emphasized on this day. November 21 will be observed as Linguistic Harmony Day. Programmes like 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," the spokesperson said.

The official said November 22 will be observed as Weaker Sections Day and meetings and rallies will be organized to highlight programmes under various Governments which help SCs/STs and weaker sections with particular emphasis on the distribution of surplus land to landless labourers.

"November 23 will be observed as Cultural Unity Day and cultural functions will be organized to present the Indian tradition of unity in diversity and for promoting cultural conservation and integration. November 24 will be observed as Women's Day. On this day, the importance of Women in Indian Society and their role in development of nation-building are highlighted," he said.
The spokesperson said November 25 will be observed as Conservation Day and several meetings and functions will be organized to emphasise the growing need for awareness and action to conserve the environment.
"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," the official said.