Fifty citizens from Gondia's former Naxal-hit areas join National Unity Day event at Ekta Nagar

Fifty citizens of Gondia district were among the special guests at the National Unity Day celebrations held today, October 31, at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat. The programme, near the Statue of Unity, marked the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, remembered as the "Iron Man of India" and the architect of national unity.

The Union government invited people from districts once affected by Naxalism under a special initiative. Delegations of 50 citizens each came from three districts of Maharashtra: Gondia, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. The Gondia group was drawn from the district's Naxal-affected areas. The celebration carries a message of the country's unity, integrity and sovereignty.

The Gondia visit was planned under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Gorakh Bhamre and coordinated by Additional Superintendent of Police Abhay Dongre. It was organised in two phases. Three citizens went first, leaving for Ekta Nagar on October 27, 2026, with Police Inspector Pramod Bhatnate of the Naxal Cell, Gondia. They were on a two-day sightseeing programme in Gujarat.

The other 47 left on October 29, 2026, accompanied by Sub-Inspectors Shrikant Hattimare and Deepak Tarvade. Gondia Sub-Divisional Police Officer Dinesh Shukla flagged off the group. Together, the two batches made up the full contingent of 50.

The delegation will meet people who have come from different parts of the country and will pay tribute to Patel's work. Local officials and residents see the chance to take part as a matter of pride for the district. They also see it as national-level recognition for a place that is moving out of the shadow of Naxalism towards development.

Gondia once lived with fear, insecurity and obstacles to development under Naxal influence. Security, development and rehabilitation measures by the Centre and the Maharashtra government have since brought a positive change. Roads, mobile networks, electricity, water, education and public transport have reached extremely remote, tribal-majority areas, which has strengthened people's links with the government.

The district police's community policing initiative, "Police Dadalora Khidki", is said to have played an important part. Through it, people are helped to reach government schemes, jobs and self-employment, skill training, health services and other welfare programmes. The aim is to build trust between the police and citizens, bring young people into the mainstream of development and keep society away from Naxal influence.

The Union government had resolved to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026. According to official information from the Union Home Ministry, the goal of a Naxalism-free country was declared achieved on that date. Against this background, inviting people from formerly affected districts as special guests is seen as a way of honouring peace, public participation and the journey of development.

After Independence, Patel brought the country's many princely states together and made a historic contribution to building a united India. His foresight and firm leadership strengthened the foundation of that unity. The Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar was built in memory of this work, and National Unity Day is celebrated on a grand scale in its premises every year.

Organisers say the event highlights national integration, social harmony, peace and the importance of development, and is expected to deepen people's sense of belonging to the country. The presence of the Gondia citizens is becoming a symbol of the district's journey towards peace and national integration, and lends strength to the idea of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat".

Before leaving, the delegation thanked the Union government, the Maharashtra government, the agencies concerned and the police for the initiative. Superintendent of Police Bhamre said the Gondia police force is committed to strengthening the path of peace, trust and development in the district, and to supporting the vision of a Naxal-free, safe and developed Gondia.