National Unity Day 2025: Honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man Who United India
National Unity Day 2025: Every year on October 31, India observes Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India. Known as the Iron Man of India, Patel played a decisive role in uniting over 560 princely states into one sovereign nation after independence in 1947.
Sardar Patel’s Vision of Unity
Sardar Patel’s firmness, realism, and statesmanship prevented post-Partition India from fragmenting into chaos. His diplomatic acumen ensured that regions like Junagarh, Hyderabad, and Jammu & Kashmir remained integral parts of India.
For Patel, unity was not mere uniformity — it was a federation of minds and hearts rooted in shared heritage and mutual respect. His belief that “India’s strength lies in its diversity” continues to guide the nation even today.
150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations at Ekta Nagar
The Government of India is commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a two-year-long nationwide celebration. The grand event will be held at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, home to the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity (182 meters).
Special programmes including cultural parades, tableaux from various states, and performances by over 900 artists will showcase the message of “Unity in Diversity.”
‘Run for Unity’ and National Pledge
Instituted in 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas reminds every citizen that unity is an ongoing national commitment. Schools, civil organizations, and citizens participate in activities like the ‘Run for Unity’, reinforcing Patel’s call for collective action and national integration.
Cultural and Tourism Initiatives for National Integration
India’s culture has always been its strongest bond of unity. Initiatives under the Ministry of Culture, such as ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, promote inter-state cultural exchange — allowing students and artists to share languages, cuisines, and traditions.
When students from Maharashtra learn Bihu or Assamese artists perform Lavani in Pune, Patel’s dream of a truly connected India comes alive.
The ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Incredible India’ campaigns further encourage citizens to explore the country’s vast heritage — from Punjab’s Golden Temple to Kerala’s backwaters. In 2024 alone, domestic tourism recorded over 294 crore visits, strengthening unity through shared experiences.
Economic and Social Empowerment Through Unity
Government schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD promote not only tourism but also local livelihoods.
When a woman in Nagaland runs a homestay for visitors from Gujarat or an artisan in Rajasthan sells crafts to travelers from Tamil Nadu, they exchange more than goods — they share stories, culture, and human connection, knitting the Republic closer together.
Unity: A Legacy and a Responsibility
Sardar Patel believed that unity must be renewed by every generation and defended against division, ignorance, and indifference.
The ‘Panch Pran’ — five national resolutions of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav — place unity and integrity at the center of India’s vision for 2047.
As India celebrates Patel’s sesquicentennial year, the true tribute to him lies not just in monuments but in ensuring every citizen feels part of the same national story.
Whether through cultural performances, museum exhibits, or travel experiences — every act of participation strengthens the “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” ideal.
In the words of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,
“Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power.”
