National Unity Day 2021:- 146th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

 Every year National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31 on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Patel is known as the 'Iron Man of India'. He played a significant role in persuading over 500 princely states to join the Union of India.

National Unity Day is celebrated on the birthday of the "Iron Man of india"

Every year National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31 on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This year, India will celebrate the 146th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. He was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of the Independent India.

In 2014, Indian Government had decided to celebrate October 31 as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. "This occasion will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country", Union ministry of Home affairs said in a statement in 2014.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a vital role in the independence movement of India and in persuading over 500 princely states to join the Union of India. He played significant role in the unification and integration of India.

Sardar Patel is known as the "Iron Man of India". In 2018, Prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 182m statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This statue is known as the 'Statue of Unity'. It is the biggest statue in the world which is situated on the banks of Narmada river in Kevadia, Gujarat.

On this day, prime minister of India pays tribute to Sardar Patel but this year Narendra Modi is not in India as he has to join the G20 summit in Rome but he has addressed the nation through video.

A tribute to the great Sardar Patel. https://t.co/P2eUmvo61n

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2021

Home minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to Sardar Patel. First he paid floral tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and then addressed the nation from Kevadia, Gujarat on this occasion.

आज केवड़िया में ‘Statue of Unity’ पर राष्ट्रीय एकता के प्रतीक सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल जी की जयंती पर उनके चरणों में नमन कर पुष्पांजलि अर्पित की। #NationalUnityDay pic.twitter.com/716PhBWyuC

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 31, 2021

#NationalUnityDay program, Live from Kevadia, Gujarat. https://t.co/Jeqd1HkQt4

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 31, 2021

On the occasion of National Unity Day, people of India remember the Sardar Patel's sacrifices and contribution towards the unity, integrity and security of the nation. On many places in India, people organise events and programmes on this day. 

Government institutions, schools and colleges arrange a pledge taking ceremony to observe the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.