National Unity Day 2022: Know the history and significance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti
National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed on October 31 every year. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who served as the first Home Minister of India after Independence. This year marks the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Also, popular as the ‘Iron Man’ of India, Sardar Patel was a lawyer, political leader, and statesman who succeeded in bringing people together for the country’s advancement.
As part of the celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kevadia in Gujarat to pay homage to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity, participate in the Ekta Diwas parade and later address civil service trainees of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in #NationalUnityDay programme in Kevadiya, Gujarat on the occasion of the birth anniversary of #SardarVallabhbhaiPatel
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/rp6UpdhOGr
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2022
National Unity Day 2022 History
The National Unity Day was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 with the theme Run for Unity. The day is celebrated to depict the strength and resilience of the nation to hold on to unity, integrity, and security. As a land of unity in diversity, India promotes this day by conducting various cultural programs.
National Unity Day 2022 Significance
In 2019, PM Modi administered the National Unity Day Pledge at the Statue of Unity and reviewed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade presented by various police contingents of the country, in honor of Sardar Patel who was the country’s first Home Minister.
India also built the world’s largest 182-meters statue of Sardar Patel to showcase his contribution to the nation. It is also known as the Statue of Unity and is located on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat’s Vadodara.
On this day, the Sardar Patel National Unity Award is also presented to recognize the inspiring contributions of people toward the cause of national unity and integrity. Schools and colleges host a variety of cultural activities with the theme of promoting unity.
