Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 31 October 2026, paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Narmada district, marking the freedom fighter and India's first Deputy Prime Minister's 151st birth anniversary. The tribute at the world's tallest statue formally opened the day's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme at Ekta Nagar.

₹426 Crore in Tourism and Infrastructure Projects

The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects at Ekta Nagar, with a combined outlay of ₹426.71 crore. Of these, 23 projects worth ₹307.83 crore are set for inauguration, while foundation stones will be laid for eight projects valued at ₹118.88 crore.

Major attractions to be inaugurated include an IRCTC hotel built at a cost of ₹50 crore, an Ekta Cruise costing ₹16 crore, a Rain Forest project worth ₹14.30 crore, and an Eco Trail worth ₹3.67 crore. The infrastructure package further covers a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, travelators for visitor movement, a parade track, staff quarters, road improvements, and facade lighting within the Statue of Unity campus.

Foundation stones will be laid for the Gora-Bhanadra Road, a smart zero-waste integrated solid waste management project, Khalwani Eco-Tourism, and an integrated Cactus and Butterfly Garden. The package also includes development of the Khalwani Bridge, widening of Vaghadia Road, and construction of a disaster control room for the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Parade, Drama and 7,000 Artistes

The evening's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations, scheduled for around 5:30 pm IST, will feature the Ekta Parade, with contingents from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and central police organisations. This year's parade will spotlight the role of security forces in tackling Left-Wing Extremism and the transformation of affected areas.

A theatrical presentation on 'Naxal Mukt Bharat', organised by the National School of Drama, will feature around 2,000 artistes from 126 districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism. A larger cultural presentation involving around 5,000 artistes from across India will showcase the country's diverse artistic traditions, with tableaux and performances themed on 'Vande Mataram'.

Bharat Parv and Ekta Prakash Parv Already Underway

Modi arrived in Ekta Nagar on Friday after a visit to Banaskantha. During his stay, he inaugurated 'Bharat Parv 2026', a cultural festival showcasing the traditions, folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts, and tourism offerings of states and Union Territories — a festival that will run until 15 November 2026.

He also visited 'Ekta Prakash Parv-2026', an illumination festival featuring a 530-metre illuminated stretch along Valley of Flowers Road and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel, with more than 1.5 crore LED lights deployed across displays representing the cultural heritage of all four regions of India.

Why Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Matters

The two-day visit coincides with the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, whose pivotal role in integrating over 500 princely states after Independence is commemorated each year through Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. The annual observance, held at the Statue of Unity — itself inaugurated by Modi in 2018 — has grown into one of the government's most visible national unity ceremonies. This year's emphasis on Naxalism-hit districts adds a security-policy dimension to what has traditionally been a cultural and historical occasion.

With the ₹426.71 crore project bundle, the Centre is deepening its investment in the Ekta Nagar tourism ecosystem, positioning the site as a flagship destination that blends heritage, eco-tourism, and infrastructure development.