With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of Communal Harmony, National Integration and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood, the “Qaumi Ekta Week” (National Integration Week) will be observed all over the country, from 19th to 25th November, 2018.
The week long programmes to be observed during Qaumi Ekta Week are as follows:
National Integration Day (November 19, 2018) to emphasize the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence.
Welfare of Minorities Day (November 20, 2018) to emphasize 15 Point Programme launched in 2005 by UPA. It seeks to ensure the welfare of religious minorities through increasing educational and employment opportunities, improving living condition, preventing and controlling communal riots etc.
Linguistic Harmony Day (November 21, 2018) to enable people of each region to appreciate the linguistic heritage of other parts of India.
Weaker Sections Day (November 22, 2018) to highlight programmes under various Governments which help SCs/STs and weaker sections with particular emphasis on the distribution of surplus land to landless labourers.
Cultural Unity Day (November 23, 2018) to present the Indian tradition of unity in diversity and for promoting cultural conservation and integration.
Women’s Day (November 24, 2018) to emphasize the importance of Women in Indian Society and their role in development of nation-building are highlighted.
Conservation Day (November 25, 2018) to emphasise the growing need for awareness and action to conserve the environment.
The observation of the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ will help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of our country.
The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, organises Communal Harmony Campaign coinciding with the Qaumi Ekta Week and observes the Communal Harmony Flag Day on 25th November.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
A recent survey held in the reserve spotted 221 varieties of butterflies, 11 of which were endemic to the area.
Buddha Peacock or Buddha Mayoori, is the State butterfly of Kerala.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is located in the Palakkad District of Kerala and lies in between the Anamalai hills and Nelliampathy hills of the Southern Western Ghats.
Rare Bird Sighted in Chinnar Sanctuary
Sri Lankan Frogmouth has been noticed on the eastern side of the Western Ghats for the first time in Kerala’s Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sri Lankan Frogmouth is usually found on the western side of the Western Ghats.
The main feature is that it lays only one egg a year after the mating season in April-May.
It is also found in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
It was believed that the species had gone extinct in the State. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is on a project to study its habitat and make a favourable environment for it.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the rain shadow region in the eastern slope of Western Ghats, adjoining Tamil Nadu.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in August 1984.
The Park provides ecological connectivity between the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Eravikulam National Park.
