CM Bhupendra Patel Reviews Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Prep at Ekta Nagar
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel personally reviewed preparations for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Ekta Nagar on 17 October 2026, inspecting the main parade venue and logistics ahead of the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31 October at the Statue of Unity.
Key Takeaways
CM Bhupendra Patel visited Ekta Nagar on 17 October 2026 to review Rashtriya Ekta Diwas arrangements.
The event on 31 October marks Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 151st birth anniversary .
The CM inspected the main parade venue and reviewed visitor facilitation infrastructure.
Officials received direct guidance from the Chief Minister on event coordination and administration.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014 and is celebrated annually at the Statue of Unity , the world's tallest statue at 182 metres .
With 31 October just two weeks away, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made a hands-on visit to Ekta Nagar on Saturday, 17 October 2026, personally inspecting the ground-level arrangements for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas — the national event that marks the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity.
The Chief Minister's Office confirmed that CM Patel held a detailed review meeting with concerned officials at Ekta Nagar, seeking programme-by-programme briefings on the events, logistics, and administrative arrangements planned for the celebration. He also walked the venue of the main parade, observing preparations on the ground and issuing necessary guidance to the organising team.
What the CM Reviewed at the Parade Ground
Beyond the parade site itself, CM Patel examined the visitor facilitation arrangements being put in place for the day — crowd management, access routes, and support infrastructure for the thousands expected to attend. Officials were directed to ensure seamless coordination across all planned programmes during the celebration.
The review reflects the scale of the event: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas draws participants and visitors from across the country each year, and Ekta Nagar — in Narmada district, Gujarat — transforms into a national focal point every 31 October.
Why Sardar Patel's 151st Birth Anniversary Carries Weight
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, is credited with the integration of hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union after independence — an act widely described as forging the modern nation. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, stands at 182 metres and is the world's tallest statue, built as a permanent tribute to that legacy.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas itself was instituted by the central government in 2014 to be observed every year on this date, anchoring the national unity message to Patel's birth anniversary. The Statue of Unity site at Ekta Nagar has since become the flagship venue for the central celebration.
The Gujarat government's on-site preparatory review — now a fixture in the annual calendar — signals that the 2026 edition, marking a milestone 151st anniversary, is being given particular attention at the highest administrative level.
All eyes now turn to 31 October, when the main parade unfolds at the foot of the world's tallest statue — a moment the state has been rehearsing for, quite literally, since this week.
Point of View
Not a procedural checkbox. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has grown steadily into a high-visibility national event since 2014, and the Statue of Unity site gives Gujarat a unique platform to project administrative competence on a national stage. For the BJP-led state government, seamless execution on 31 October carries both symbolic and political weight — a well-run celebration reinforces the Sardar Patel legacy that the party has closely identified with since the statue's inauguration in 2018.
NationPress
17 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 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and promote national unity. It was instituted by the central government in 2014.
Where is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 being held?
The main celebration is being held at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, Gujarat — the flagship venue for the national event each year.
Why is the 2026 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas significant?
The 2026 celebration marks Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 151st birth anniversary, making it a milestone edition that has drawn direct attention from Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
What did CM Bhupendra Patel do at Ekta Nagar on 17 October 2026?
CM Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting with officials, inspected the main parade venue, and reviewed visitor facilitation and administrative arrangements for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebration on 31 October.
What is the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue at 182 metres, depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is located in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018.
