National Anti-Terrorism Day – 21 May
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National Anti-Terrorism Day
Anti-Terrorism Day is marked on May 21, the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. After his mother Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi became India’s youngest prime minister when he was sworn in as the country’s sixth Prime Minister at 40.
From 1984 until 1989, he was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In May 1991, he was slain in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, while campaigning for the Congress as the party’s president for the national elections.
The Anti-Terrorism Day is observed to foster solidarity among people and propagate peace and humanity. Anti-Terrorism Day is considered to be one of the important days for India, as on this day, the country lost a pure gem and it was a huge loss to the country.
The background to it:
Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, traveled to Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, to rally. A woman in front of him identified herself as a member of the terrorist group Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE).
She approached PM with explosives hidden beneath her garments and bowed down as if she wanted to touch his feet. Suddenly, a bomb exploded, killing PM and around 25 people. This is inland terrorism, which has spread fear and resulted in the loss of our country’s prime minister.
Anti-Terrorism Day’s Importance:
The goal of anti-terrorism day is to preach the message of global peace and nonviolence and prevent young people from becoming misled by cult practices.
Anti-Terrorism Day also commemorates the sacrifices made by tens of thousands of warriors fighting terrorism. It’s a day to remember those who died as a result of terrorist attacks.
Every time our brave warriors have been fighting their outside against terrorism, to protect us when we are having our good sleep. Hence, it is important to celebrate these brave souls, and hence to give credit for our freedom to them, Anti-Terrorism Day is celebrated.
Anti-Terrorism Day aims to disseminate a message of peace, humanism, unity, and harmony among people while also raising awareness of terrorism’s anti-social deeds. On this day, the employees of the Central Government and other public institutions promise to make every effort to defeat terrorism and eliminate it from society.
Anti-Terrorism Day is observed in a variety of ways
– The goals mentioned above are met by holding dialogues or discussions about the perils of terrorism and violence in schools, colleges, and institutions.
– To highlight the negative impacts of terrorism and its aftermath, mass education campaigns are organized.
– The federal government and state governments hold rallies and parades to educate the public about the dangers of terrorism.
– Special marches are held to pay tribute to the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and people come to pay their respects to him. People bow their heads and remain silent for two minutes in several schools, colleges, government, and private offices.
MHA has also advised that new ways of disseminating anti-terrorism messages via digital and social media platforms be investigated, given the significance and seriousness of the occasion.
Pledge for Anti-Terrorism Day:
On Anti-Terrorism Day, all government offices, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and other public organizations take an anti-terrorism pledge. The following is the pledge:
“We, the people of India, with deep faith in our country’s history of nonviolence and tolerance, solemnly declare that we will fight all forms of terrorism and violence with all of our might. We commit to protect and promote peace, social harmony, and understanding among all human beings, as well as to combat the forces of disruption that threaten human lives and values.”
The pledge is basically to commence the feeling of patriotism in the country and has had immense gratitude for people who have been there through thick and thin to support their fellow citizens. Here a huge group of individuals promises to give in their best to protect their citizens from every possible danger they can.