National Integration Day

National Integration Day is observed on November 19 every year to mark the birth anniversary of the first woman Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The day aims to motivate people about keeping unity, peace, love, and brotherhood among them. In this article you will read about the importance of the National Integration Day.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about National Integration Day to get the basic information. The topic, if at all asked in the UPSC Prelims, will form the part of the current affairs.

Facts about National Integration Day

Read the below-mentioned facts about National Integration Day; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation.

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About National Integration Day

• National Integration Day is also known as “Quami Ekta Divas“. The day is celebrated all across India to promote harmony.
• Since India is diverse in terms of culture, multiple languages, religions, geographical diversity and ethnicity, it is important for all to respect all the cultures and religions and mix together with each other to keep the unity intact.
• Therefore the day is important to strengthen unity and to develop a better understanding of society.
• National Integration Day 2021 marks the 104th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi.

Read about the National Emergency in the linked article.

Significance of National Integration Day

• National integration means coming together of people and having universal acceptance, brotherhood, harmony and unity amongst various factors like historical and political background, social and economic differences, linguistic variations and cultural ethnicities.
• The day is used to dissuade the youth of our country to engage with anti-social elements and other anti-national activities which may threaten the unity of the nation.
• The day is celebrated to pay tribute to Indira Gandhi, who while serving as the first woman Prime Minister, made several reforms in the country.
• On this day every year, many events and programmes are held in schools and universities, across the country like Inter State Youth Exchange Programme (ISYEP), National Integration Camp (NIC), National Youth Festival and National Youth Award.

About Indira Gandhi

• Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on 19 November 1917 in Allahabad to the first Prime Minister of India, JL Nehru.
• She married Feroze Gandhi in 1942 and in 1955 became a Congress Working Committee member and in 1959 became the President of CWC. She joined the Cabinet of Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Minister for Information. In 1966 after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent, Russia, she became the Prime Minister of India.
• Indira Gandhi was a great politician and played a major role in strengthening the Indian democratic structure and tradition. She is majorly known for the 1971 war against Pakistan under her leadership. She was an enthusiast of music, literature and fine arts. She received the Bharat Ratna in 1971.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

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