Govt to now recall Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, not Indira Gandhi, on October 31

TNN

New Delhi, Oct 29, 2014: October 31, commemorated as former PM Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary, is being recast as National Unity Day, a celebration of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. Public broadcaster Doordarshan has planned a series of programmes, including coverage of celebrations at Patel’s village Karamsad in Gujarat for which an editorial team has been sent and a half-an-hour documentary tracing the life of the ’Lau Purush’ (Iron Man). 

 

DD DG (news) Archana Dutta said the documentary would focus on Patel’s contribution to the freedom struggle and his work post-independence. Rare archival footage from the Films Division has been dug up for the documentary which is peppered with historians and academicians outlining Patel’s significance in the country’s history. DD has also made a promotional video elaborating Patel’s vision of India and emphasizing on the theme of National Unity Day. 

 

"The documentary and the programmes are all being done in-house. We have already sent a DD news team to cover the celebrations at Patel’s village Karamsad," Dutta said. DD will also cover events like Run for Unity expected to be held in various parts of the country. ’Ekta Daud’ ( Run for Unity) will spread the Iron Man’s message of good governance and national integration, information and broadcasting minster Prakash Javadekar has said.

 

 

Earlier, Javadekar had announced that PM Narendra Modi would address the public to spread Sardar Patel’s message. 

 

This is the latest in the Modi government’s effort to claim the legacy of Indian icons. Earlier this month, Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. The Abhiyan will be expanded in the country’s schools in a bid to popularize it among children on former PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary on November 14. 

 

The public broadcaster’s initiatives for October 31 will be accompanied by a media blitzkrieg including advertisements in print, electronic and social media.