Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2024: 200 NCC cadets from 22 states train for Statue of Unity parade
Synopsis
Two hundred NCC cadets from 22 states are drilling in Ahmedabad ahead of the 31 October Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue. Training alongside BSF, CISF, and SSB personnel, the 10-day Special National Integration Camp blends ceremonial preparation with cultural exchange, keeping Sardar Patel's unifying legacy at the centre of India's annual national unity moment.
Key Takeaways
200 NCC cadets from 22 states have begun 10-day intensive drill training in Ahmedabad .
Training is being conducted under the NCC Directorate Gujarat alongside BSF , CISF , SSB , and other CAPFs .
The parade is scheduled for 31 October 2024 at Kevadia, Narmada district , at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue.
The event marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , who integrated over 500 princely states into the Indian Union.
The camp also functions as a Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) , promoting cultural exchange and youth bonding across states.
Around 200 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets drawn from 22 states, including Gujarat, have launched intensive drill training in Ahmedabad ahead of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade scheduled for 31 October at Kevadia in Narmada district. The parade marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue.
Training Setup and Participating Forces
The cadets are training alongside personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The integrated programme is being conducted under the aegis of the NCC Directorate Gujarat and is set to run for 10 days, building the coordination and ceremonial discipline required for a joint national parade.
The Significance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed annually on 31 October to honour Patel's pivotal role in integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union following Independence in 1947. The Statue of Unity at Kevadia, dedicated entirely to Patel, serves as the symbolic centrepiece of these national celebrations each year. This year's event continues a tradition that brings together security forces, cadets, and civil contingents in a display of coordinated national resolve.
Special National Integration Camp
Beyond drill rehearsals, the programme is structured as a Special National Integration Camp (SNIC), designed to expose young cadets from across the country to India's cultural diversity, traditions, and heritage. The culmination of the camp is expected to feature cultural exchanges emphasising friendship, mutual understanding, and unity — core themes of the NCC's guiding principle of 'Nation First'. Notably, bringing together youth from 22 states under a single training roof offers a rare opportunity for cross-regional bonding among the next generation of citizens.
Broader Goal: Youth and National Integration
The NCC's participation in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations underscores its long-standing mandate to foster national integration through youth engagement. Training alongside professional paramilitary personnel gives cadets direct exposure to the discipline and coordination standards of India's central security apparatus — an experience that goes well beyond routine NCC camp activities. The Kevadia venue, drawing visitors and participants from across India each year, amplifies the event's symbolic weight as a statement of national cohesion.
The parade on 31 October is expected to draw significant participation from security contingents and state representatives, with the Statue of Unity providing a globally recognised backdrop for the annual tribute to Sardar Patel's unifying legacy.
Point of View
Blending drill with cultural exchange, is the NCC's most ambitious integration tool, yet it receives little national attention relative to its scale. Whether the cultural exchange component receives as much rigour as the ceremonial drill is a question worth asking annually.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and when is it observed?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on 31 October to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. It commemorates his central role in integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
Where is the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2024 parade being held?
The parade will be held at Kevadia in Narmada district, Gujarat, at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The venue has served as the national focal point for these celebrations since the statue's inauguration.
How many NCC cadets are participating and where are they from?
Around 200 NCC cadets drawn from 22 states across India are participating in the training. They are undergoing a 10-day integrated drill programme in Ahmedabad under the NCC Directorate Gujarat.
Which security forces are training alongside the NCC cadets?
The NCC cadets are training alongside personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), preparing for a joint ceremonial parade.
What is the Special National Integration Camp associated with this event?
The Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) is a structured programme running alongside the drill training, designed to expose cadets from different states to India's cultural diversity and traditions. Its culmination is expected to feature cultural exchanges focused on friendship, mutual understanding, and national unity.
