New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31 at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada Valley. The event will honor the Iron Man of India’s unmatched contribution to the country’s unification and nation-building.
The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by PM Modi in 2018, stands at 182 meters—making it the tallest statue in the world. Located on Sadhu Bet island near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, it symbolizes Patel’s monumental role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
Since 2014, Patel’s birth anniversary has been observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day. This year’s celebration comes at a pivotal moment when India’s social, regional, and political fabric faces renewed challenges. The occasion is expected to draw leaders, citizens, and youth groups from across the country to reaffirm Patel’s enduring message of unity and integrity.
Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel rose from being a lawyer to becoming one of India’s most influential freedom fighters and the nation’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. His decisive leadership during the chaotic post-Partition years helped weave together the newly independent nation from hundreds of fragmented princely states.
Patel’s diplomacy and determination ensured the smooth integration of territories such as Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir—solidifying India’s geographical and political structure. His efforts, supported by V.P. Menon and endorsed by Jawaharlal Nehru and Lord Mountbatten, remain one of the most significant achievements in India’s modern history.
This year’s Ekta Diwas will include unity runs, cultural events, and pledges to uphold national integrity. The Ministry of Home Affairs has described it as an opportunity to “reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation.” However, leaders and scholars emphasize that true homage to Patel lies in addressing modern divides—social, economic, and digital—through empathy and inclusion.
As part of the celebration, the government has announced a ₹150 commemorative coin, a 152-km unity march in Gujarat, and nationwide awareness campaigns on civic harmony. Yet, the deeper essence of the event, officials say, lies in embracing Patel’s vision of federal cooperation, institutional trust, and collective responsibility.
Seventy-five years after his passing, Patel’s principles of unity, fairness, and administrative discipline remain as vital as ever. His belief that India’s strength lies in its diversity continues to guide the nation’s democratic path.
As the country marks his 150th anniversary, the celebration is more than a tribute—it is a call to action. Patel’s legacy challenges India to sustain unity not just in territory, but in spirit, justice, and purpose.
