Amity University Gurgaon: COMMEMORATION OF RASHTRIYA EKTA DIWAS BY DEPARTMENTS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HISTORY

COMMEMORATION OF RASHTRIYA EKTA DIWAS (SARDAR PATEL’S BIRTHDAY) BY DEPARTMENTS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HISTORY

AMITY SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS, AMITY UNIVERSITY HARYANA

The first Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s birth anniversary – was marked by a series of events organized by the Department of Political Science and Department of History, Amity School of Liberal Arts. The events were planned and executed based on the life and historical and political contribution of the leader credited with having unified India into a viable political entity. Known as the Iron Man of India, he was the blazing torch of “integral humanism” and during his lifetime stood for ethics, unity, human rights and values. His thoughts on equality and rights became the basis of the enumeration of the Fundamental Rights contained in the Indian Constitution. As the first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Patel emphasized on protection of minority rights while at the same time engineering the unification of a nation as diverse as India.

Students of BA (Honours) Political Science and BA (Honours) History participated in a discussion on the topic “Contribution of Sardar Patel to history and politics of India”. While Adesh Singh (Political Science Third Semester) spoke on the Sardar’s early life and education, Prabanch N Raj (History First Semester) enlightened those present about the Sardar Patel’s foremost political contribution – the integration of princely states into the Union of India.Pruthvi Sai (Political Science First Semester) provided a brief overview of the major issues addressed by Sardar Patel during his illustrious political career such as the inclusion of fundamental rights in the Indian constitution, the unification of India, the emphasis on minority rights and peace and security for all. The discussion was a learning exercise for all present as the students spoke on various aspects of Sardar Patel’s legacy.

The discussion was preceded by a pledge led by Aman Choudhary (Political Science Third Semester). The commemoration culminated with the screening of the feature film Sardar, directed by Ketan Mehta for which students and faculty of Political Science and History students showed keen interest.

Students of the following departments were present at the commemoration:

BA (Honours) Political Science
BA (Honours) History
BA (Honours) English

Closing remarks were made by Prof. Kiran Devendra, Professor of History and Head, Amity Institute of Education, Amity University Gurgaon. She stressed on the need to remember Sardar Patel as a great nation builder and imbibe in our daily lives qualities embodied by the great leader.

Faculty members in charge of the commemoration were as follows: