"Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" is a program initiated by the Indian government to promote national unity and integrity. The program was launched on 31st October 2015, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Under this program, every state in India is paired with another state to promote cultural exchange and enhance mutual understanding and appreciation. The states are chosen based on their similarities and differences in culture, language, traditions, geography, and socio-economic conditions.

Source: MHRD

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Government Schemes section in the General Studies Paper-2 Syllabus and current events of national importance in general studies paper -1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we shall see the features and significance of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which will be helpful in the UPSC IAS exam.

What is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat?

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) is a government initiative. It promotes national integration and cultural exchange between the different states and union territories of India. The program was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2015. It was launched on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Background of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

India is a country whose fabric has been woven from various linguistic, cultural, and religious threads. A long history of cultural evolution and a freedom struggle centred on the principles of non-violence and justice have held this diverse nation together to form a composite national identity. A unique unity in variety has been made possible by the spirit of understanding that underlies our shared past. This unity stands out as a tall flame of nationhood that must be nurtured and protected into the future.

Mission of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• Celebration of the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between our country's people.
• Promotion of the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States.
• Showcasing the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State enables people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity.
• Establishing long-term engagements.
• Creating an environment that promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences.

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Vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• The glorious manifestation of various languages, types of food, music, dance, theatre, movies, sports, handicrafts, festivals, paintings, sculptures, etc., will enable people to imbibe the innate chord of binding and brotherhood and celebrate the idea of India as a nation where different cultural units across various geographies merge and interact with one another.
• To educate the population about the seamless, integrated Modern Indian State, which is stretched across a huge landmass and whose solid foundations ensure that everyone benefits from the nation's geopolitical power.
• To emphasise to the general public how important it is for the spirit of nation-building that different cultures and traditions are becoming more interconnected.
• To reduce the sense of being a "stranger in a strange land" that people from different states, cultures, and traditions who live in different states of India often experience.
• Through these intense cross-cultural connections, a sense of ownership and responsibility for the country is to be instilled, as it aims to build up the interdependence matrix.
• To celebrate the diversity and unity of the Nation at the same time.
• To generate a vibrance of understanding & appreciation amongst the people and forge mutual bonding to secure an enriched value system of unity in the nation.

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Objectives of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Scheme

• To celebrate our nation’s unity in diversity.
• To maintain and strengthen the fabric of our country’s traditionally existing emotional bonds.
• To promote the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all states and union territories over a year.
• To highlight the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either state to help people understand and appreciate India’s diversity, thereby fostering a sense of common identity.
• To form long-term relationships.
• To foster learning among states through the exchange of best practices and experiences.

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Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’s Features

• The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme strives to actively improve the connection between people of various cultures living in various Indian states and union territories to encourage greater mutual understanding.
• Every year, each State/UT in India will be partnered with another State/UT in India for reciprocal engagement between the people, according to the programme.
• It is hoped that through this exchange, knowledge of other states’ languages, cultures, traditions, and practices will lead to increased understanding and bonding, hence enhancing India’s unity and integrity.
• A preliminary list of activities has been compiled and distributed to state governments/UT administrations and key federal ministries.
• States/UTs may choose, evolve, and develop their interaction patterns based on the provided list based on operational suitability during interactions.

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Implementation of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• India's states and union territories will be partnered for a set period under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme. Paired states and UTs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to outline the activities they would undertake jointly.
• The States and UTs will embark on a mission to strengthen their cultural, academic, and economic linkages by engaging in various mutual interactions with the partnered States/UTs, including music, drama, food, language, history, tourism, and other types of people-to-people exchange.
• Based on operational suitability during interactions, states/UTs may choose, evolve, and develop their interaction patterns from the specified list.
• The activity will be extremely beneficial in connecting various States and Districts in annual programmes that will bring people together through exchanges in areas such as culture, tourism, language, education, trade, and so on.
• Citizens can sample the cultural diversity of a considerably larger number of States/UTs while remaining aware that India is a single entity.

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Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Activities

• Cultural exchanges, such as music, dance, and food festivals
• Translation of books, poetry, and folk songs from one state to the language of the partner state
• Exchange programs for writers, poets, students, and teachers
• Culinary festivals and educational tours
• Promotion of homestays and tourism
• Familiarization tours for tour operators
• Language exposure for students
• Sharing of books and information on culture, customs, traditions, and flora and fauna
• Encouragement of oaths and pledges in the languages of the pairing states
• Essay competitions and optional language classes
• Drama performances and exchange of information on traditional agricultural practices
• Combined tableaus and participation in parades
• Telecasting and broadcasting of programs from one state on the regional radio channels of the partner state
• Film festivals with subtitles
• Showcasing traditional attire and organizing quiz competitions and photography competitions
• Encouragement of learning and exposure to traditional sports

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Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – Highlights for UPSC Exams

• On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 140th birthday, the Hon’ble Prime Minister announced the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative on October 31, 2015.
• Knowledge of the culture, traditions, and practises of different states and UTs will lead to improved understanding and bonding amongst the states. This creative step will enhance India’s unity and integrity.
• Through this programme, shared knowledge of the culture, habits, and traditions of different states and UTs would improve India’s unity and integrity by enhancing bonding and understanding amongst the states.
• “Bhasha Sangam” Ministry of Education, in collaboration with MyGov, has developed a mobile app under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• The app aims to give users access to various Indian languages. It aims to foster the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by learning the different languages of different states of India and coming closer to their culture.

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Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat(Government Schemes for UPSC Exam): Download PDF Here!

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