Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Gujarat today (Friday) to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, celebrated as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day, and recalled his immense contribution towards unifying India.
To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar and took a ‘pledge of unity’. He also announced the release of a special commemorative coin and stamp as a tribute.
This year marks Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary.
National Unity Day is observed every year on October 31. The day marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and honours his pivotal role in fostering national and political integration and unity in India.
India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, played a key role in bringing the country together after independence in 1947. He was responsible for uniting more than 560 princely states, which made up about 40 per cent of India’s land and population, into one nation.
The Indian Independence Act had allowed these states to choose whether to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent. It was Patel who used a mix of negotiation, persuasion, and firm action when needed to make sure India didn’t break apart. Through the States Department he led, most princely states had joined India by or soon after August 15, 1947, helping secure the country’s unity.
His strong and steady leadership during the challenges of partition earned him the title “Iron Man of India”. Patel also set up the All-India Services, known as the “Steel Frame” of the nation, to help maintain India’s stability and integrity in the years ahead.
National Unity Day was first observed in 2014 following the Government of India’s decision to honor Sardar Patel’s exceptional contributions to nation-building,
During the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,’ aimed at fostering sustained connections and cultural exchange between different regions of India.
Since then, multiple central ministries, state governments, educational institutions, and youth organisations have actively celebrated the day through various activities that promote unity and bonding across the country.
During an event to mark Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, PM Modi said that Sardar Patel wanted to unite entire Kashmir, like he did with other princely states. He blamed Nehru for not letting that happen.
“Sardar Patel wanted to unite the entire Kashmir, just as he did with other princely states. But Nehru ji stopped his wish from being fulfilled. Kashmir was divided, given a separate Constitution and a separate flag – and the nation suffered for decades because of Congress’ mistake,” Modi said.
“Sardar Patel believed that one should not waste time writing history but we should work hard to create history,” PM Modi said, addressing the gathering after the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar.
Before delivering his speech, PM Modi reviewed the National Unity Day parade, which featured contingents from police and paramilitary forces across the country.
All contingents were led by women officers, representing forces such as the BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, SSB, and police units from states including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) also took part in the parade.
Sixteen BSF personnel who had been awarded gallantry medals for their roles in Operation Sindoor were part of the procession. The parade also included a marching display of Indian breed dogs from the BSF, featuring the acclaimed Mudhol hound Riya, winner of the All-India Police Dog Competition. Rampur and Mudhol hounds showcased their skills, adding a unique highlight to the event.
Additional attractions included a motorcycle stunt display by the Assam Police and a camel-mounted contingent and band from the BSF. Ten tableaux from various states and union territories, along with units like the NSG and NDRF, reinforced the theme of “unity in diversity.”
