National Unity Day 2023: National Unity Day is celebrated every year on 31 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This year will be the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is also known as the Iron Man of India.
Importance and purpose of National Unity Day
To honor India’s Iron Man, the Government of India planned to build the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world. To achieve this goal, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) was established. With a total budget of US$422 million, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Statue of Unity on 31 October 2018, the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
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This day pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played an important role in India’s struggle for independence and unification of the country.
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This day emphasizes the importance of unity, integrity and solidarity among the diverse cultures, languages and traditions across the country.
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The day underlines the need to preserve India’s rich cultural diversity while fostering a sense of national identity that transcends regional, linguistic and religious differences.
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National Unity Day serves as a reminder to the citizens of India of their shared history, struggles and achievements. It inculcates a sense of pride and patriotism, encourages individuals to work collectively for the betterment of the nation and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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The day highlights the idea that India’s strength lies in its ability to remain united despite its diversity.
National Unity Day: Its History
In memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Government of India has constructed a giant statue of the Iron Man of India near the Narmada River in Gujarat. Also, remembering the struggles and sacrifices of Sardar Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of independent India, the Government of India had declared National Unity Day on his birth anniversary. On this day, people remember the great deeds of Sardar Patel and celebrate National Unity Day. Various events, webinars and seminars are organized in different parts of the country.
Let us tell you that after the independence of the country, Patel became the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Sardar Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. Sardar Patel died on December 15, 1950 in Mumbai (Maharashtra). In the year 1991, Sardar Patel was posthumously awarded ‘Bharat Ratna’.
Know about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
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He was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
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He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of independent India.
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He played an important role in the integration of several Indian princely states to form the Indian Union.
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At the time of independence, he played an important role in convincing several princely states to enter into an alliance with the Indian Union. He also worked hard as a social leader for the independence of India.
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After the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Patel was elected President of the Congress for its 1931 session (Karachi).
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The women of Bardoli gave Vallabhbhai Patel the title of ‘Sardar’, which means ‘a chief or a leader’.
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He is recognized as the real unifier of India for his great contribution in making India unified (one India) and an independent nation.
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He requested the people of India to remain united to create Shrestha Bharat (foremost India).
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He is also remembered as the patron saint of civil servants of India because he established the modern All India Services system.
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The Statue of Unity was built in his honor at Kevadia in Narmada district of Gujarat (2018).