Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Sardar Patel’s Legacy Honored Across India
On the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s ‘Iron Man,’ the nation celebrates his enduring legacy through statues like the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat and the naming of streets, buildings, and institutions across major cities. Government officials and citizens alike pay tribute to his pivotal role in integrating over 500 princely states, and highlight National Unity Day as a testament to unity, integrity, and good governance.
The article highlights how Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contributions to Indian unity are commemorated nationwide, especially on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) coinciding with his 150th birth anniversary. Major cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Noida—feature streets, buildings, and institutions named after him, reinforcing his lasting influence. The ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat, the tallest statue in the world, stands as a symbol of his efforts to integrate more than 500 princely states post-independence, a feat that earned him the title ‘Iron Man of India.’ National leaders, including the President and Prime Minister, paid floral tributes and recalled Patel’s vision of a strong, united, and self-reliant India. The day is marked by nationwide events such as the Run for Unity, pledge ceremonies, cultural programs, and exhibitions at the Statue of Unity. Patel’s legacy is not limited to grand monuments; it is woven into the daily life of the nation through the pervasive presence of his name and ideals in public spaces and educational institutions. The article underscores that Patel’s principles of unity, administrative reform, and civic responsibility remain central to India’s identity and aspirations, especially in the context of contemporary challenges and the Viksit Bharat vision for a developed nation. His life and work continue to inspire Indians to uphold the values of harmony, integrity, and collective progress.
