ITANAGAR, Aug 20: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) observed Sadbhavna Divas, marking former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 75th birth anniversary, on 20 August by organising a plantation programme and a blood donation camp.
The APCC also organised a fundraising programme for four-month-old Dapsin Maling, who is suffering from chronic liver diseases and whose treatment has been delayed owing to fund constraint faced by his parents.
APCC president Nabam Tuki urged the people to donate blood to address the scarcity in the blood banks of the state, due to which, he said, many patients are facing difficulties at various levels.
Tuki cited a report stating that eight cases of kidney dialysis, 27 of chemotherapy, two of blood cancer, 12 of premature births, six of thalassemia and 22 of OT go unattended on a daily basis due to shortage of blood.
The APCC president said Rajiv Gandhi “laid the foundation of modern India (by) revolutionizing network communication, science and information technology, and the social sector.”
He credited Gandhi with “creating the panchayati raj system, as he advocated total and democratic participation of people.”
In the field of education, Tuki said, Gandhi introduced an “excellent national policy on education, which benefitted rural students.”
AICC secretary in charge of Arunachal, Zenith Sangma, and former APCC president Takam Sanjoy also recalled the contributions of Gandhi to the nation.
The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Namsai also celebrated Sadbhavna Divas on Tuesday.
Addressing the students and teachers, Headmaster Indrajeet Dey urged them to “maintain communal harmony, peace, brotherhood and oneness, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.”
He also highlighted the development of India in the IT and telecom sectors during the former prime minister’s period.
Later, students of the school made a presentation on the theme ‘Unity in diversity’. A painting competition on the theme of ‘Sadbhavna’ was also organised as part of the programme.
The 12th Bn NDRF also observed Sadbhavna Divas. Battalion Commandant Umesh Kumar Thapliyal and Second-in-Command Arun Deogam administered the Sadbhavna Day pledge at the battalion headquarters, Hollongi, and Doimukh in Papum Pare district.
