By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Along with the rest of the country, the State Government on Monday observed the Quami Ekta (National Integration) Week at the Main Secretariat here with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma administering the National Integration pledge.
The Quami Ekta Week is observed with a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of communal harmony, national integration and pride in a vibrant and composite culture and nationhood through various programmes.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “With 1.2 billion people in India, the integration among the people of our great nation can be preserved and made more strong and vibrant”, adding that challenges can be easily overcome ‘inspite of the huge diversity of our nation’.
“This provides an opportunity to reaffirm the old age traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi cultural and multi religious society,” Dr Sangma said, adding that the people should have their own responsibility in order to achieve integration in the country.
He also asserted that the State Government has taken this initiative in order to ensure the responsibility for the safety and benefit of ‘each one of us’.
“The government should not only focus on the development of the State but also on the social aspect of the people at large,” he added.
“Many of the policies adopted by the State as well as the Union Government are structured to bring together the people of the country and strengthen national integration,” he said, adding “the end result of any policy must generate benefits to all the citizens.”