On the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of the "Iron Man of India," Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was observed with great reverence on October 31, 2023, at the DC Conference Hall in Kohima.

            The Kohima District Administration, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Kumar Ramnikant, in collaboration with various heads of offices, organized a solemn Pledge Taking Ceremony. The event saw enthusiastic participation from all officers, staff, and employees, coming together to pay tribute to the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

            Addressing the gathering at the Pledge Taking Ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Kumar Ramnikant reflected on India's challenging path to unity and independence. He highlighted that in 1947, when India gained independence, it consisted of approximately 600 princely states and independent kingdoms, and the nation was not yet ready to function as a unified entity. It was the visionary leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that united this diverse nation into one cohesive whole. He noted that India has since evolved into a more powerful global entity. Ramnikant emphasized that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed throughout the country to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of the Indian people in the face of threats to the nation's security, unity, and integrity.

            The National Unity Day Pledge was administered by Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO) Sardar Kohima and SDO Jakhama, Nockpai Konyak.

(Khekiye IA Kohima)