CM Samrat Choudhary pays tribute to Sardar Patel on National Unity Day
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 31 October 2026 paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, calling him an unparalleled builder of a united India and extending wishes on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, 31 October 2026 .
Choudhary described Patel as the 'Iron Man' who made an 'unparalleled contribution' to building an undivided India.
He called Patel's resolve for national unity and integrity a 'perpetual source of inspiration' for all Indians.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was instituted by the central government in 2014 to mark Patel's birth anniversary every 31 October .
Patel integrated more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 as the country's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
On the birth anniversary of India's 'Iron Man,' Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary offered his reverence to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31 October 2026, calling him an unparalleled architect of a united India and extending warm wishes on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Posting in Hindi on X, CM Choudhary wrote: 'Akhand Bharat ke nirman mein atulaniya yogdan dene wale Loh Purush, Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji ki jayanti par unhe koti-koti naman.' In English: 'Countless salutations to the Iron Man, Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who made an unparalleled contribution to the making of an undivided India.' He added that Patel's resolve to place national unity and integrity above all else, and his dedication to the nation, 'will always remain a source of inspiration for all of us.'
The man who stitched a nation together
Sardar Patel's legacy rests on one of modern history's most audacious feats of statecraft. As India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after independence in 1947, he oversaw the integration of more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union — a task many considered impossible. Persuasion, diplomacy, and, when necessary, firm resolve were his tools. The result was a territorially coherent nation where fragmentation could easily have been the default. The title 'Loh Purush' — Iron Man — was not ceremonial; it was earned.How Rashtriya Ekta Diwas became an annual fixture
In 2014, the central government formally instituted Rashtriya Ekta Diwas — National Unity Day — on 31 October, Patel's birth anniversary, to anchor the idea of national integration in the public calendar. Since then, tributes from leaders across parties and governments have become a defining feature of the day, with state capitals and the Centre marking the occasion with runs, pledges, and official events. CM Choudhary's post is part of that annual chorus — but its emphasis on Patel's 'resolve' and 'dedication' gives it a pointed edge in a political climate where the vocabulary of national unity carries considerable weight. For Bihar, a state that sits at the intersection of caste, regional identity, and national politics, invoking Patel's integrationist legacy is never merely ceremonial.Point of View
' the Bihar CM reinforces a political vocabulary that ties unity and territorial integrity to a specific ideological tradition. For a state as politically complex as Bihar, aligning with Patel's integrationist legacy also serves a local purpose: projecting administrative strength and national commitment ahead of any electoral cycle. The tribute, routine in form, carries non-trivial signalling weight.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 31 October celebrated as National Unity Day in India?
31 October is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister, who integrated over 500 princely states into the Union. The central government instituted Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on this date in 2014 to honour his contribution to national integration.
Who is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and why is he called the Iron Man of India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after independence in 1947. He is called the 'Iron Man of India' for his determined, resolute effort in integrating more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union, a task widely considered one of modern history's greatest feats of statecraft.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary 2026?
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary paid tribute to Sardar Patel on 31 October 2026 , calling him an unparalleled contributor to the making of an undivided India and stating that Patel's resolve for national unity 'will always remain a source of inspiration for all of us.' He also extended wishes on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
How many princely states did Sardar Patel integrate into India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel oversaw the integration of more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 , cementing the territorial and political coherence of the new nation.
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and when was it started?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas , or National Unity Day, is observed every 31 October — Sardar Patel's birth anniversary. It was formally instituted by the central government in 2014 to promote national unity and honour Patel's legacy of territorial integration.
