CM Gujarat: PM Modi to lead Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Statue of Unity Oct 31
Synopsis
Gujarat's CMO announces Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on 31 October 2026 at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, with PM Modi presiding. The programme includes an Ekta Parade, cultural tableaux, and a National School of Drama production of 'Anand Math' to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will preside over Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at the Statue of Unity , Ekta Nagar , on 31 October 2026 .
The event marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , who unified more than 560 princely states into independent India.
Programme highlights include a grand Ekta Parade , regional-diversity tableaux, and a National School of Drama staging of 'Anand Math' .
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was declared a national observance by the Government of India in 2014 ; the Statue of Unity has been its primary venue since its inauguration on 31 October 2018 .
The celebrations align with the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' initiative promoting cross-state cultural integration.
On 31 October 2026, the birthdate of the Iron Man of India, the country's grandest tribute to national unity will unfold at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat — with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity complex. The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat announced the programme on Thursday, calling citizens to join a 'rashtriya mahaprav' — a great national festival — honouring the unity, integrity, and security of India.
Parade, tableaux, and 'Anand Math' at Ekta Nagar
The celebrations will feature a grand Ekta Parade, cultural performances, and tableaux showcasing India's regional diversity — a format that has defined the 31 October observance since the Government of India officially declared it Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2014. The centrepiece this year, according to the CMO post, is an ambitious theatrical staging by the National School of Drama: a production of 'Anand Math', billed as an epic retelling of one of the defining stories of India's patriotic spirit. Ekta Nagar, the CMO noted, will transform into a 'rashtriya gaurav nu kendra' — a centre of national pride.
Sardar Patel and the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' vision
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on 31 October 1875, is credited with the singular achievement of unifying over 560 princely states into the Indian Union following independence in 1947 — earning him the title 'Loh Purush', the Iron Man. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 31 October 2018 and standing as the world's tallest statue, was built to cement that legacy in stone and steel at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) on the banks of the Narmada river.
The annual observance is also a keystone of the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' initiative — the central government's framework for cross-state cultural exchange and integration — and the Ekta Nagar venue has consistently served as its symbolic heartland since 2018.
Why the National School of Drama's role stands out
The involvement of the National School of Drama — India's premier theatre training institution — adds an arts-and-culture dimension that goes beyond routine officialdom. A production of 'Anand Math', Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's celebrated novel that gave India the anthem Vande Mataram, carries deep patriotic resonance and signals an intention to make the 2026 edition as much a cultural moment as a ceremonial one.
The CMO's call to action — 'Aavo, aa rashtriya mahaparvne desh ni aakashe aambti ekata nu smaran-parva banaviye' ('Come, let us make this national festival a remembrance of our sky-touching unity') — reflects the aspirational register that has become a hallmark of these observances.
Twelve years after its founding declaration, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has evolved from a date on a government calendar into an annual civic ceremony of scale — and 31 October 2026 at Ekta Nagar is shaping up to be its most elaborately programmed edition yet.
Point of View
Linking Sardar Patel's integrationist legacy to a broader 'One India' narrative that the party has actively cultivated since 2014. Staging the event at the Statue of Unity — itself a Modi-era infrastructure project of political symbolism — reinforces Gujarat as a site of national identity, not merely regional pride. The addition of a National School of Drama production signals a deliberate effort to deepen cultural resonance and reach younger audiences beyond the parade format. As the observance enters its twelfth year, the escalating production scale reflects the government's intent to institutionalise the date as a civic landmark equivalent to Republic Day in emotional weight.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and when is it celebrated?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on 31 October — the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Government of India declared it a national day in 2014 to promote unity and integrity.
Where is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 being held?
The main national celebrations will be held at the Statue of Unity complex in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat , with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding.
What events are planned for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
The programme includes a grand Ekta Parade , cultural performances, tableaux representing India's regional diversity, and a theatrical production of 'Anand Math' by the National School of Drama .
Why is the Statue of Unity significant to Rashtriya Ekta Diwas?
The Statue of Unity , inaugurated on 31 October 2018 , is dedicated to Sardar Patel and is the world's tallest statue. Its inauguration date coincides with his birth anniversary, making it the natural and permanent venue for annual celebrations.
What is the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' initiative?
' Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat ' is a central government initiative designed to promote cultural exchanges between Indian states and strengthen national integration — the overarching theme of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
