CM Bhupendra Patel Marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Statue of Unity
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 by highlighting PM Modi's floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, invoking the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' spirit on the Iron Man's birth anniversary.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel shared PM Narendra Modi 's tribute at the Statue of Unity, Kevadia on 31 October 2026 .
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed annually on 31 October , Sardar Patel's birth anniversary, instituted by the central government in 2014 .
The Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue at 182 metres — was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 in Kevadia, Gujarat.
Sardar Patel, as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, integrated over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after 1947 .
CM Patel invoked the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' theme, framing Patel's legacy as an enduring source of national inspiration.
On the birth anniversary of the man who stitched a fractured subcontinent into a single nation, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined the country in honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity, Kevadia, on 31 October 2026 — marking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas with a tribute to India's Iron Man alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
CM Patel noted that PM Modi offered floral tributes — pushpanjali [a floral salutation] — at the statue, honouring the leader who bound over 500 princely states into a unified India. He wrote that Sardar Patel's life, having woven the princely states into a single thread to build an undivided Bharat, remains 'an inexhaustible source of inspiration strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat [One India, Best India] for all of us.'
The Iron Man's legacy and the world's tallest statue
The Statue of Unity — standing at 182 metres, the tallest statue in the world — was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018, the centenary of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary observances gaining national prominence. Located in Kevadia, Gujarat, it was conceived as a physical embodiment of the national integration Patel achieved as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after 1947.
Sardar Patel's task was staggering: persuade, pressure, and in some cases compel over 500 princely states to accede to the Indian Union in the chaotic months following independence. His success defined India's territorial shape and remains one of the most consequential acts of statecraft in modern history.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: from 2014 to a national tradition
National Unity Day was instituted by the central government in 2014 to formally commemorate Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October every year. Since then, annual tributes at the Statue of Unity — with the Prime Minister leading the observance — have become a fixture in India's commemorative calendar, consistently anchored around the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' theme.
CM Patel's post underscores how the Gujarat government reinforces the same narrative of unity, drawing a direct line from Sardar Patel's historical achievement to the present-day vision for an integrated nation. For a Chief Minister governing the state where Patel was born — Nadiad, Gujarat — the tribute carries both political and personal resonance.
Sardar Patel's legacy, invoked year after year at the foot of his own colossal likeness, keeps getting bigger. The question is whether the institutions he built are growing to match it.
Point of View
Shreshtha Bharat' brand — a counter-narrative to the Congress-era framing of the freedom movement. By placing the Prime Minister at the Statue of Unity each year and amplifying it through state leaders like CM Bhupendra Patel, the party consistently links territorial integration to its own governance vision. The Kevadia observance has evolved from a commemorative event into a full policy-communications platform. How the legacy is translated into actionable unity frameworks — beyond symbolism — remains the real measure of the day's political intent.
NationPress
31 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 — the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It was instituted by the central government in 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating India's princely states.
Where is the Statue of Unity located and who built it?
The Statue of Unity is located in Kevadia, Gujarat . It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 and stands at 182 metres , making it the world's tallest statue.
What did Sardar Patel achieve for India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, integrated over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 , defining the country's modern territorial boundaries.
What is 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'?
'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' — meaning 'One India, Best India' — is a government initiative aimed at promoting national unity, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding across India's states and regions.
What did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel say on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
CM Bhupendra Patel posted on X that PM Modi offered floral tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity, calling Patel's life an 'inexhaustible source of inspiration' that strengthens the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' for all Indians.
