Remembering Patel
The country just celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to honor his pivotal role in fostering national and political integration and unity in India. The day underscores the importance of maintaining the sovereignty, peace and integrity of the nation, encouraging citizens to pledge their commitment to unity in diversity
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was first celebrated in 2014, following a declaration by the Government of India to honour and celebrate Sardar Patel’s remarkable contribution to nation-building. Following this, during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ for sustained and structured connect between people of different regions of the country for an enhanced understanding and bonding between them.
More than ten Central ministries, state governments, schools, colleges and youth organisations have since been celebrating through various activities to promote such bonding between people from different parts of the country.
This year’s celebration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was particularly special as it marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in the national integration process following independence in 1947. Hewas tasked with unifying over 560 princely states — covering nearly 40% of India’s territory and population — into the Union of India. Under the Indian Independence Act, rulers of the Princely States were given the option to decide whether they wanted to accede to India or Pakistan or neither. Sardar Patel employed a combination of diplomatic negotiations, persuasion, and, where necessary, firm administrative measures to prevent balkanisation.
Through the States Department he led, Sardar Patel successfully integrated these states by August 15, 1947, or shortly thereafter, ensuring the territorial integrity of modern India. His efforts averted potential fragmentation and laid the foundation for a united democratic republic. It was the decisive leadership of this “Iron Man’ that ensured internal stability as the country went through its tumultuous partition period. He also created the All-India Services as the “Steel Frame” that would continue to protect the country’s unity and integrity.
The “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (EBSB) initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2015 during Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 140th birth anniversary, embodies Sardar Patel’s vision of a united India. It promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding among States and Union Territories, celebrating India’s diversity through interaction and reciprocity.
Its core objectives are to:
• Strengthen emotional bonds among citizens,
• Foster national integration through structured inter-state engagements,
• Showcase and appreciate India’s diverse cultures,
• Build lasting partnerships, and
•. Encourage mutual learning and sharing of best practices across regions.
EBSB promotes the idea of “unity in diversity” by pairing different States and Union Territories to strengthen emotional bonds through linguistic, cultural, and educational exchanges. These activities extend the message of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas beyond a single day, transforming it into a sustained movement for national integration.
EBSB Events and Initiatives Inspired by Ekta Diwas
•. The Bhasha Sangam App – for learning 100+ sentences of everyday use in 22 official Indian languages.
• Cultural Showcases and Food Festivals.
• Student Exchange Programmes -“Yuva Sangam” and EBSB Clubs in schools and universities facilitate youth interaction between paired States, fostering mutual understanding.
• Kashi Tamil Sangamam – celebrates the cultural and spiritual bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, promoting unity through exchange of art, language, and traditions.
• Digital and Outreach Campaigns – Initiatives like My Bharat Digital Portal and EBSB Quiz Competitions engage citizens online to promote unity, patriotism, and knowledge of India’s cultural diversity.
• The EBSB Portal serves as a digital extension of the vision behind Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, providing a platform to document and promote initiatives that strengthen national integration. It hosts reports of inter-state cultural exchanges, youth activities, and campaigns conducted by various ministries under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat banner — an initiative launched on Ekta Diwas itself. With millions of participants and visitors, the portal keeps the spirit of unity alive year-round through its digital repository, showcasing programs like Dekho Apna Desh (Tourism) and indigenous sports features (Sports), and through the EBSB Wall, which highlights monthly activities reflecting India’s diversity and collective identity.
Importance in 2025: Marking the 150th Birth Anniversary
The occasion has been envisioned as a year-long, nationwide commemoration. This milestone highlights Sardar Patel’s enduring relevance in contemporary India, especially amid global challenges to unity and social cohesion. The spirit of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is also deeply aligned with the principles of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), which seeks to strengthen emotional bonds among citizens through cultural exchange, linguistic appreciation, and mutual understanding between paired States and Union Territories.
Together, these initiatives reinforce the concept of unity in diversity, thus transforming national integration from a ceremonial observance into an ongoing people’s movement.
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the My Bharat platform, has organised a nationwide Unity March (Yatra) to foster unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among the youth, aligning with the principles of ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Launched on October 6, 2025, by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on the My Bharat portal, the initiative includes competitions such as a Social Media Reels contest, an essay competition, and the Sardar@150 Young Leaders program, with 150 winners participating in the National Padyatra.
The Unity March will unfold in two phases. The first phase, taking place from October 31- November 25, 2025, will feature district-level foot marches across all districts within every Parliamentary constituency. These marches will be preceded by a series of awareness activities, including essay and debate competitions, seminars on Sardar Patel’s life and contributions, and street plays in schools and colleges.
Alongside the padyatra, a range of developmental initiatives will be undertaken across districts — such as cleanliness drives at water bodies, tree plantation drives under the “Sardar Upvan” initiative, women’s welfare camps, yoga and health camps, and “Vocal for Local” promotional campaigns.
The National March, from November 26 to December 6, 2025, will cover 152 kilometers from Karamsad (Sardar Patel’s birthplace in Gujarat) to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, incorporating community development activities in villages along the route with participation from NSS students, NCC cadets, My Bharat volunteers, and young leaders. An exhibition showcasing India’s diverse culture and Sardar Patel’s life will also be organised.
To sum up, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas stands as a timeless reminder of Sardar Patel’s visionary leadership in forging a united India from diverse princely states, a foundation that continues to underpin the nation’s progress. By blending historical reverence with contemporary engagement through oaths, marches, and cultural events — the observance not only commemorates past triumphs but actively counters modern divisive forces, reinforcing the ethos of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
