The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) organised National Unity Day 2020 through a Virtual Celebration Webinar on the birth anniversary of Sardar Ballavbhai  Patel. It witnessed participation from the entire Petroleum industry, especially the public enterprises.

The keynote address was from the Petroleum Secretary Mr. Tarun Kapoor who reflected on the importance of moving together as one. “The primary purpose of PSUs is to serve the common people of India.”

Petroleum Secretary Tarun Kapoor addressing during observance of National Unity Day by MoPNG

Mr Kapoor said that the way India has come up as a nation is only because Sardar Patel could unite all the princely states and come up as one large entity, “notwithstanding so much diversity of religions, languages and cultures”. He added that each one of us can play a major role in taking this country forward. “We have to rise above divisive politics on an individual level. We are leaders in our own way and can influence thoughts. Sardar Patel also set up the modern Indian Administrative System.”

“Each one of us has an opportunity to do something for humanity while the sense of business has to remain because organisations have to survive. Our goal is to serve a common man efficiently and in a transparent manner so that there is a multiplier effect for our service coverage to become better. Raising the living standard of people must be kept in view”, the Petroleum secretary said.

“We have already taken a pledge and must believe strongly and have that conviction to follow the principles Sardar Patel set”, shared Mr Kapoor.

Earlier, the virtual celebration began with opening remarks from Joint Secretary (IC), PNG, Mr. B.N. Reddy who hailed Sardar Patel as a Saptarishi of the Indian freedom struggle. He talked about the great qualities of resoluteness, clarity, direction, focus, loyalty, groundedness and guts that Sardar possessed.

He said, “The huge contributions of Sardar Patel are difficult to capture and they seek to propel us even today to reminisce his messages that are so relevant for our times.” He referred to him as the man of greatest conviction to see an independent, united and a strong India. “A deep reflection of his lasting contribution can be seen in his approach towards uniting the country”.

The webinar had commenced with the addresses of Former Chief Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Ramesh Negi and Former Chairman, IndianOil Corporation, Mr. M.A. Pathan. The concluding Vote of Thanks was extended from Mr. R.K. Mohapatra, Director (HR), Indian Oil.