Social harmony progs in Panchayats for Bharat Uday campaign

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked states to organise social harmony programmes in all the Gram Panchayats during 'Gramoday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan' to be held between April 14 and 24 and ensure participation of SC, ST and other weaker sections in them.

The campaign, to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will begin on April 14 to coincide with the 126th birthday of B R Ambedkar and conclude on April 24 (Panchayati Raj Day). Modi will address villagers in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand on the concluding day.

The objective of the campaign is to encourage social harmony, promote farmer's progress, improve livelihood of the poor and strengthen Panchayati Raj system by educating them about the various initiatives, programmes and schemes undertaken by the government.

"As part of the Abhiyan, social harmony programmes will be organised in all Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas all over the country during April 14 and 16. The various activities include garlanding the photograph of B R Ambedkar, taking a pledge to strengthen social harmony, making people aware of Ambedkar's thoughts, explaining government schemes to reduce inequality by distribution of literature," said a senior official from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Also, children will be felicitated at Panchayat level in various fields like education, sports, art and culture. Debates and workshops will also be organised.

"We request you to ensure that such social harmony programmes are organsied in all the Gram Panchayats of your state and the participation of SC/ST and other downtrodden population of the Panchayat in these Programmes.

"We also request you to ensure that the concerned officers, functionaries, staff members of Department of Social Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and other relevant social sectors attend these meetings to provide information on government schemes to the villagers and interact with them," said the letter written to all state governments.

The government also sought a report on conduct of these programmes by states by April 17.

The campaign, will be run jointly by Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Social Justice, Labour and Information and Broadcasting Ministries in coordination with states.

The Centre is commemorating Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary year and a National Committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constituted for overseeing the celebrations.