Gujarat CMO marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, honours Sardar Patel
Synopsis
On 31 October 2026, Gujarat's Chief Minister's Office marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas by honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary and calling on citizens to advance state and national progress under the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' vision.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat's CMO posted Rashtriya Ekta Diwas greetings on 31 October 2026 , Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, credited with integrating over 560 princely states into the Union.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the Government of India in 2014 to be observed annually on 31 October.
The post invoked 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' , a Central government scheme launched in 2015 to promote inter-state cultural exchange.
Gujarat, Patel's home state, hosts the Statue of Unity near Kevadia — the world's tallest statue — a focal point for national unity observances.
On the birth anniversary of the man who stitched a fractured subcontinent into one nation, Gujarat's Chief Minister's Office on Saturday, 31 October 2026 extended greetings to all citizens on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas — National Unity Day — and called on every Indian to be a partner in the progress of state and country.
Posting in Gujarati, the CMO invoked two intertwined ideas: 'Sankalp ekatano, path pragitino' — 'A resolve for unity, a path of progress' — and saluted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Loh Purush (Iron Man), on his birth anniversary. The message ended with a call to citizens to join hands under the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' — 'One India, Finest India' — building national advancement on the twin foundations of unity and integrity.
Who was Sardar Patel, and why does 31 October matter
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after independence in 1947. His singular achievement was the integration of more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union — a feat of political will and quiet diplomacy that gave the country its present territorial shape. The title 'Iron Man of India' is inseparable from that effort. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the Government of India in 2014 to be observed every year on 31 October — Patel's birth anniversary — with the explicit aim of reinforcing national integration. The day typically brings state-level pledge ceremonies, runs, and cultural programmes across the country.'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' — the scheme behind the slogan
The phrase the CMO's post anchors itself to is more than a rhetorical flourish. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is a Central government scheme launched in 2015 designed to foster cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Indian states and union territories — pairing states annually so their citizens experience each other's language, cuisine, art, and history. Gujarat has been a consistent participant in that framework, and annual Rashtriya Ekta Diwas messaging from state administrations routinely ties local development goals to this broader national unity architecture. For Gujarat — Patel's home state — the observance carries an extra layer of pride. The state is also home to the Statue of Unity near Kevadia, the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Patel, which has become a focal point for national unity commemorations every 31 October. As the country marks the day, the CMO's message is a reminder that the Iron Man's legacy is not a relic of the freedom struggle — it is the operating system on which modern India still runs.Point of View
But Gujarat's participation carries unique symbolic weight given Patel's origins and the Statue of Unity's presence on its soil. By explicitly invoking 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', the CMO aligns state branding with a Central government soft-power framework — a pattern that reflects the BJP-led government's sustained effort to make Patel's legacy a living policy theme rather than a historical footnote. The consistency of this messaging year on year signals that unity and development are being positioned as inseparable political goals, not merely ceremonial ones.
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 Government of India in 2014 to promote national integration and honour Patel's role in unifying India.
Why is Sardar Patel called the Iron Man of India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the Iron Man of India because, as the country's first Home Minister after 1947, he successfully negotiated the integration of more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union, giving the country its current territorial form.
What is the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' scheme?
' Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat ' is a Central government initiative launched in 2015 to strengthen national unity by pairing Indian states and union territories for cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people exchanges.
What is Gujarat's connection to Sardar Patel?
Gujarat is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's home state. It is also home to the Statue of Unity near Kevadia , the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Patel, which serves as the centrepiece of national unity commemorations on 31 October.
What did the Gujarat CMO post on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
On 31 October 2026 , the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office posted greetings in Gujarati, saluting Sardar Patel as the 'Loh Purush' (Iron Man) and calling on citizens to participate in state and national progress under the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
