Sadbhavana Diwas, also known as Harmony Day, is annually observed across India on August 20 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi.
- The day aims to promote peace, national integration, and communal harmony throughout India. It also serves as a reminder of his vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and united India.
- Sadbhavana Diwas 2024 marks the 80th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. He was born on August 20, 1944.
Background:
The first Sadbhavana Diwas was observed on August 20, 1992, a year after Rajiv Gandhi assassination on 21st May 1991.
- The word ‘Sadbhavana’ means ‘Goodwill and Bonafide’ in English.
Note: 21st May, the death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, is annually observed across India as National-Anti Terrorism Day.
About Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award:
i.In memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) instituted the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award in 1992.
ii.The award is presented for outstanding contributions towards the promotion of peace, communal harmony and national integration.
iii.The award includes a citation and a cash award of Rs.10 lakh.
About Rajiv Gandhi:
i.Rajiv Gandhi became the PM of India after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi on 31st October 1984.
ii.At the age of 40, he became the youngest and sixth PM of India. He served as PM from 1984 to 1989.
iii.He was known as the ‘Father of Information Technology and Telecom Revolution of India’.
iv.In 1991, the government of India posthumously awarded Rajiv Gandhi the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Reforms and Policies:
i.In 1986, Rajiv Gandhi announced a National Education Policy (NEP) with the goal of modernising and expanding higher education institutions throughout India.
ii.He established the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya System, a central government-based institution in 1986 with an aim to the uplift the rural society by providing free residential education from 6th to 12 class.
iii.He introduced measures to significantly reduce the Licence Raj system after 1990 , allowing enterprises and individuals to purchase capital, consumer goods, and import without bureaucratic barriers.
iv.His efforts resulted in the establishment of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in 1986 and Public Call Offices (PCOs) for spreading telephones in rural areas.
v.During his tenure, the Parliament passed the Constitution 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988, lowered the voting age in India from 21 to 18 years, by amending the Article 326 of the Constitution of India.
