Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is an annual observance in India that takes place on October 31st. It was introduced to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was a prominent leader in the Indian Independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs in Independent India.

The primary purpose of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is to promote and reinforce the importance of national unity and the integration of India, as Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in uniting the numerous princely states and regions into a single, independent nation. On the occasion of National Unity Day, Special Days’ Committee of St. Vincent Pallotti College organized a  Unity: The Strength of India Inter-Departmental “Nukkad Natak Competition” on 28th November, 2023 for students to strengthen the bonds of unity and fraternity among the citizens of India, irrespective of their cultural, linguistic, and regional differences. In this competition, Student Groups from various departments viz., Computer Science – “Unity in Profession” , Commerce – “Anekta Me Ekta”, Education - “The Conjuring Group” and “Taali Ki Shakti”,  perform short, socially relevant, and thought - provoking plays in College Campus.

The Judges of the event were Mr. Vaibhav Shrivastava and Dr. Kiranjeet Kaur Bedi. The Winners were announced by Principal Dr. Kuldeep Dubey. The First position was bagged by B.Com group, who showcased the theme of – “Anekta Me Ekta” have been facilitated with prizes and certificates. Certificates of participation were distributed by Principal.  The event was concluded with a gratitude note by Vice Principal Dr. G. Padma Gouri.

Convener of Special Days’ Committee Mrs. Ramola Vikas Dan along with her team members worked hard for the successful completion of this event.

Special Day Committee organized an activity “Chalk Art Poster Making Competition – एक भारत श्रेष्ठ भारत” on the occasion of Hindi Diwas on Thursday, 14th September, 2023 in the AVA room at 12:00 noon for all the students of St. Vincent Pallotti College, Raipur (C.G).

The Theme for the activity was “एक भारत श्रेष्ठ भारत”. This theme and the activity intended to emphasize on use of Hindi language among the students and to encourage them to stay connected to the roots of our culture. The students participated with full zeal and enthusiasm. They came up with amazing creativity. Their efforts and initiative was appreciated by one and all.

The final Judgement was made by Dr. Kiranjeet Kaur Bedi, faculty, Department of Commerce and Mrs. Bani Saha, faculty, Department of Education.

At the end of the session, Principal Dr. Kuldeep Dubey and Vice Principal Dr. G Padma Gouri delivered a very motivational speech on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.

The session ended with a vote thanks by Mrs. Ramol Vikas Dan, faculty, Department of Education.

The winners of the Activity were as under-

I Position – Roshni Patel (B.Ed III Sem)

II Position – Vibha Bhagat (B.Ed III Sem)

III Position – Riya Lisha Tirkey (B.Ed III Sem)

Introduction:-

In celebration of World Environment Day, the Special Day Committee in association with Green Army Raipur, a non-profitable organization organized a unique event focused on promoting environmental conservation and reforestation. The event, titled "Seed Ball Hope to Green Future" aimed to raise awareness about the importance of reforestation and engaged participants in creating seed balls for distribution. The event was divided into two parts. First part was collection of seeds of fruit bearing trees like jamun, mango, papaya, chiku etc, and the second part was preparation of seed ball followed by donation of the same.

Objective: -

The event's primary objectives were as follows:

Environmental Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of reforestation, sustainable living, and environmental conservation among the local community.

Hands-on Engagement: Provide participants with a practical and engaging opportunity to actively contribute to reforestation efforts by creating seed balls.

 Community Collaboration: Foster a sense of community engagement and shared responsibility for the environment among participants of all ages and backgrounds

Greening Urban Spaces: Encourage participants to take ownership of their surroundings by planting seed halls in designated areas, contributing to increased green cover in urban spaces.

Educational Outreach: Facilitate informative sessions and discussions to educate participants about the role of trees in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity.

Event Highlights:-

1. Seed Ball Preparation Workshop: - Participants actively took part in the seed ball Preparation workshop which was held on 14.08.2023. They were provided with a mixture of clay, compost, and native plant seeds. Step-by-step instructions were given, and participants formed small groups to create seed balls. This interactive session not only educated participants about the seed ball technique but also encouraged teamwork and creativity,
2. Seed Ball Donation: As a culmination of the event, participants collectively made a substantial number of seed balls. These seed balls were carefully packaged in recyclable paper bags and prepared for distribution: Representatives from Green Army Raipur were present to receive the seed ball donations. Each participant received information about where the seed balls would be planted, creating a sense of accountability and ownership
3. Oath-During the program Principal Dr. Kuldeep Dubey administered the oath of environmental protection to the students and also made the students aware about the environment. He said that we will continue to organize such social programs in the coming days also so that we can work to make our environment sale and healthy
4. Tree Plantation and Adoption: Tree plantation was done by the NCC students of the college responsibility of taking care of them was also taken by the students by adopting one plant each.
5. Media Coverage: - The event garnered attention from local media outlets, further extending the reach of the message and inspiring more individuals to engage in similar environmental activities.

Outcome and Impact:

The event successfully raised awareness about reforestation and sustainable practices. Participants gained insights into how simple actions, such as making and planting seed balls, can contribute to a healthier ecosystem. A substantial number of seed balls were created and donated. These seed balls were dispersed across predetermined areas, aiding in reforestation efforts and promoting biodiversity.

The event fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment. Participants felt empowered to be part of a larger movement for positive change. The success of the event laid the groundwork for future collaborations between participants, organizations, and local authorities. It encouraged the continuation of similar initiatives and the exploration of new ways to contribute to environmental well-being.

Conclusion:- On this occasion, Mr. Amitabh Dubey, Founder of Green Army Raipur Mr. Ashish Sharma President of Green Army Raipur, Tati Bandh, Mrs. Hardeep Kaur Green Wing Chair Person, Mr. Gavesh Sahu President Shankar Nagar Zone. Mrs Ranjana Agarwal Incharge Shankar Nagar Zone, Mr. Saurabh Agarwal, Shankar Nagar Zone, Green Army Other members, Director of the college, Rev. Father Amit Tirkey, Principal Dr. Kuldeep Dubey, Vice Principal Dr. G. Padma Gouri, all Heads of Departments, teachers, NCC, Red Ribbon, NSS students and a large number of students from other departments were present. The Special Day Committee, in collaboration with Green Army Raipur, successfully organized an impactful event that not only celebrated World Environment Day but also inspired and empowered participants to contribute to a sustainable future. The collective effort in making seed balls and the commitment to planting them will undoubtedly lead to a greener and healthier environment for generations to come.