Prez Murmu, VP Radhakrishnan honour Sardar Patel on 151st birth anniversary
Synopsis
On National Unity Day, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan led the nation's tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi, marking the 151st birth anniversary of the statesman who stitched together over 560 princely states into post-Independence India.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Sardar Patel at Sardar Patel Chowk and Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan on 31 October 2026 .
Radhakrishnan also paid tributes at Sardar Patel Chowk and posted a tribute on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah , Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu , CM Rekha Gupta , and MP Bansuri Swaraj were present.
India observes 31 October as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) every year to mark Patel's birth anniversary.
Sardar Patel, India's first Deputy PM and Home Minister, oversaw the accession of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after 1947 .
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 151st birth anniversary at Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The occasion, observed nationally as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas), marks the birth anniversary of India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, widely credited with integrating hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
Presidential Tribute at Sardar Patel Chowk and Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Murmu first paid homage at Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi, followed by a separate floral tribute at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to a statement from the President's office. The solemn ceremony drew senior constitutional functionaries and political leaders from across the capital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj were also present at the Sardar Patel Chowk event.
Vice-President Radhakrishnan's Remarks
Vice-President Radhakrishnan, who also paid homage at Sardar Patel Chowk, reflected on Patel's enduring legacy in a post on X. 'Sardar Patel's extraordinary life and legacy stand as an enduring testament to the power of national unity, unwavering determination and selfless service,' he said.
He further noted: 'On this solemn occasion, the nation gratefully remembers his monumental contribution to nation-building and pays heartfelt homage to the great visionary whose legacy continues to guide India's journey towards unity and progress.'
Delhi LG and Chief Minister Pay Tributes
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sandhu described Patel's resolve as 'the guiding light and talisman for an integrated, united and resilient Viksit Bharat.' Chief Minister Gupta, posting on X, called Patel the 'architect of Akhand Bharat and the valiant sentinel of national unity.'
Gupta credited Patel with weaving 'hundreds of princely states into a single thread, laying the foundation of a strong India,' and drew a direct line from his ideals to contemporary governance, stating that his vision of 'one India, an excellent India, is today being realised with renewed strength and confidence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.'
About National Unity Day and Sardar Patel's Legacy
India has observed 31 October as National Unity Day every year since 2014, when the date was formally designated to honour Patel's birth anniversary. Dubbed the 'Iron Man of India,' Patel oversaw the accession of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union in the months following the 1947 transfer of power — a feat regarded by historians as one of the most consequential exercises of diplomatic and administrative will in modern statecraft. Notably, his legacy is regularly invoked across party lines, though its political framing varies significantly with each successive government.
Point of View
With each address carefully calibrated to draw a line from Patel's legacy to the present government's agenda. Chief Minister Gupta's explicit link between Patel's vision and Prime Minister Modi's leadership is a recurring rhetorical pattern — one that opposition formations consistently contest by invoking Patel's own differences with the RSS. The ceremony itself is constitutionally significant, but the framing of Patel's legacy remains a live and contested terrain in Indian political discourse, not a settled consensus.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 31 October observed as National Unity Day in India?
India observes 31 October as National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The day has been observed since 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
What did President Droupadi Murmu do on Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary?
President Murmu paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel at Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi and separately at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on 31 October 2026. Her office confirmed the ceremonies in an official statement.
What did Vice-President Radhakrishnan say about Sardar Patel?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described Patel's legacy as 'an enduring testament to the power of national unity, unwavering determination and selfless service' in a post on X. He added that Patel's legacy 'continues to guide India's journey towards unity and progress.'
Who else attended the National Unity Day tribute at Sardar Patel Chowk?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and MP Bansuri Swaraj were among those present at Sardar Patel Chowk in New Delhi on 31 October 2026.
Why is Sardar Patel called the Iron Man of India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title 'Iron Man of India' for his decisive role in negotiating and, where necessary, compelling the accession of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union following Independence in 1947. As India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, his efforts are considered the defining act of post-colonial national integration.
