CM Bhupendra Patel Pays Tribute to Sardar Patel on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on 31 October 2026 by honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the leader who unified over 560 princely states, and spotlighting the Statue of Unity as a global symbol of Indian nationhood.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel posted a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, 31 October 2026 .
Sardar Patel integrated more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
The Statue of Unity at Kevadia on the Narmada , inaugurated on 31 October 2018 , is the world's tallest statue and was built under PM Narendra Modi .
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has been observed every 31 October since 2014 , when the central government formally declared the date as National Unity Day.
CM Patel linked the commemoration to the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat vision and called on citizens to renew their commitment to national unity and sovereignty.
On the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel invoked the Iron Man of India's unbreakable resolve — the man who stitched more than 560 princely states into a single, sovereign republic — calling his legacy an eternal source of inspiration for every Indian.
Writing in Gujarati on 31 October 2026, CM Patel offered his tribute with the words 'કોટિ કોટિ વંદન' — 'a billion salutes' — and extended warm wishes to all fellow citizens on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the National Unity Day observed every year on this date.
The man who made the map
Sardar Patel's achievement was not diplomatic — it was architectural. Between 1947 and 1950, as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he persuaded, pressured, and where necessary compelled the rulers of over 560 princely states to accede to the Indian Union, forging a geographical and political reality that many thought impossible. CM Patel's post underlines that trinity of qualities — 'અડગ ઇચ્છાશક્તિ, રાષ્ટ્રનિષ્ઠા અને દુરંદેશી' — 'unwavering willpower, patriotism, and far-sighted leadership' — as the pillars of that achievement.
Statue of Unity: the riverbank tribute that became a symbol
CM Patel highlighted the Statue of Unity on the banks of the Narmada at Kevadia, Gujarat as the nation's grandest act of remembrance. Inaugurated on 31 October 2018 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the structure stands as the world's tallest statue — a deliberate, monumental assertion of Sardar Patel's place in India's founding story. The CM called it a symbol of 'India's unity and identity before the entire world.'
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the Ek Bharat vision
The central government declared 31 October as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2014, institutionalising annual observances, unity runs, and pledge ceremonies across the country. CM Patel linked today's commemoration to the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative — launched in 2015 — which seeks to deepen cultural bonds between India's states and regions. His closing call was direct: let every citizen take a firm resolve to dedicate themselves to protecting the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty.
Point of View
The BJP has systematically elevated Sardar Patel's legacy through institutional mechanisms — Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the Statue of Unity, and the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme — positioning him as a unifying national icon alongside the party's own governance narrative. CM Bhupendra Patel's tribute fits squarely within that arc, reinforcing the link between Sardar Patel's integrationist legacy and present-day national-unity messaging. As a Gujarati leader paying homage to Gujarat's most celebrated son, the CM's voice carries both regional pride and political continuity. The post also signals that the Statue of Unity, now eight years old, remains a central reference point in BJP-led governments' identity politics.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and why is it celebrated?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed on 31 October every year to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The central government declared the date in 2014 to honour his role in unifying India's princely states.
How many princely states did Sardar Patel integrate into India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, facilitated the integration of more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence in 1947.
What is the Statue of Unity and where is it located?
The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue, depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It stands on the banks of the Narmada river at Kevadia in Gujarat and was inaugurated on 31 October 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative?
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is a central government programme launched in 2015 aimed at strengthening cultural and social bonds between India's states and regions, inspired by Sardar Patel's vision of a united India.
What did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel say on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel offered 'a billion salutes' to Sardar Patel, praised his unwavering willpower and far-sighted leadership in unifying over 560 princely states, highlighted the Statue of Unity as a global symbol of Indian nationhood, and called on citizens to commit themselves to protecting India's unity and sovereignty.
