Sadbhavana Diwas (Harmony Day) is celebrated in India every year on August 20th. This day is observed on the birth anniversary of the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of the country. Born on this day in 1944 in Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi was a b advocate of national unity, peace, and communal harmony.
New Delhi: Sadbhavana Diwas is celebrated in India every year on August 20th. This day is dedicated to the birth anniversary of the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of the country. Born in Mumbai in 1944, Rajiv Gandhi's political life began abruptly when his mother, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was assassinated in 1984. At that time, Rajiv was only 40 years old, and he became the youngest leader in India to have the honor of becoming Prime Minister at such a young age.
The Maker of Modern India
The aim of Sadbhavana Diwas is to promote national unity, peace, and communal harmony. Rajiv Gandhi's entire political life was based on these values. He believed that India's strength lies in its diversity and cultural unity. This is why his birth anniversary is celebrated as Sadbhavana Diwas, so that every generation can remember his contributions and ideals.
Rajiv Gandhi is often called the 'Maker of Modern India'. Under his leadership, India took historic steps in the fields of science, technology, and information technology. He understood the importance of computers and telecommunications long ago and laid the foundation for the IT revolution in India. Due to his efforts, the telecom network expanded rapidly across the country, and computer education was encouraged. This is why India has emerged as a global IT hub today.
Education Reform and Youth Power
In 1986, his government implemented the New National Education Policy. It played an important role in promoting higher education and vocational education. Rajiv Gandhi always considered the youth as the axis of nation-building. One of his greatest achievements was lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years, which ensured the active participation of youth in politics.
Rajiv Gandhi was known for his simple, modern, and visionary approach. He gave India a new identity on the global stage. During his tenure, India's foreign policy and international relations were strengthened. He succeeded in showing the world that India is not only a country of traditions but also a nation that is rapidly moving towards technological and economic progress.
Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
However, Rajiv Gandhi's tenure was not entirely free from controversies. The Bofors scandal during his rule deeply impacted his image. This scandal also affected the credibility of the Congress party, as a result of which the Congress had to face defeat in the 1989 general elections. Despite this, his supporters believe that this incident overshadowed his many achievements and corrective measures.
In memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress Party established the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award in 1992. This award is given to individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to promoting peace, unity, and harmony. This award still keeps his ideals and vision alive.
Assam, Punjab and Sri Lanka Policy
Rajiv Gandhi also tried to deal with the internal and external challenges of the country during his tenure as Prime Minister. He made several agreements to establish peace in Assam and Punjab. Along with this, the decision to send a peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka was also taken during his tenure, although this step was also heavily criticized.
Rajiv Gandhi's tenure may have been short, but the work done in it determined the direction of India in the coming decades. The information revolution and technological development that he started has bly positioned India in the digital age. His thinking was always for future generations. He believed that technology and education can make India self-reliant and b.
