NEW DELHI: The end of armed Naxalism within the March 31, 2026 deadline set by home minister Amit Shah as well 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be celebrated at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade and Bharat Parv at Kevadia, Gujarat, this year to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on Oct 31. Around 7,000 people from 126 districts that at some point of time were under the scourge of Left-wing extremism, will participate both as performers and spectators in the event to be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Wednesday said around 2,000 artists drawn from 126 districts that were once Naxal-affected, will join the celebrations by putting up a dramatic performance, directed by the National School of Drama (NSD), through which they will recount how their life and property were threatened when Naxalism was rampant in their area.In addition, around 5,000 local people from these 126 districts have been invited. They will not only be spectators for all the performances but will also, through their interactions, share the hardships they had to undergo at the hands of Maoists and how their lives have changed now.“Their participation will underline the resilience of communities that have endured conflict and highlight the role of cultural expression in strengthening national integration,” said Govind Mohan.The 2026 edition of the parade will also feature march-past by contingents of all the central armed police forces (CAPFs) and state police personnel who were in the forefront of the decisive fight against left-wing extremist violence. A short film will play on LED screens at the venue as the contingents pass in front of the Prime Minister, the chief guest, summarising the salient feature of their achievements in eliminating armed Naxalism.The three elements (marchpast, drama, interactions), the home secretary said, will showcase India’s struggle against armed Naxalism, the fact it has now been eradicated and most importantly, how development has replaced violence in the affected districts.
The Ekta Diwas parade, to be held in the evening hours this year, will also feature tableaux designed around the theme of “Vande Mataram” and constructed by the people and private entities with corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, with no involvement of the govt. The 15 designs for the tableaux, selected through competition, are based on the implications of ‘Vande Mataram’ on nationhood and development.There will also be a cultural programme curated entirely by people from different states and communities who have made Gujarat their home. Around 5,000 artists will showcase dances and culture of their respective states through this mega-performance.A play will be organised on the eve of Oct 31 on the theme ‘Anand Math’. To be directed by NSD, it will be based on the abiding philosophy of Anand Math: that every person of India has a responsibility of building a bright future for the country and being aware of its cultural heritage.