Gujarat CMO: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Statue of Unity
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat announces Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Statue of Unity, with PM Modi presiding over the Ekta Parade to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October.
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 is being celebrated on 31 October at Ekta Nagar, Statue of Unity, Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presiding over the national observance at the venue.
The Ekta Parade is the centrepiece event of the day's programme.
The Statue of Unity stands 182 metres tall and was inaugurated in October 2018 in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was declared by the Government of India in 2014 to annually commemorate Patel's role in integrating over 500 princely states.
At the foot of the world's tallest statue — a 182-metre tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — India marks the Iron Man's birth anniversary on 31 October 2026 with a national celebration that fuses memory, monument, and a live display of unity. The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat has announced that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 is being celebrated in full grandeur at Ekta Nagar, Statue of Unity, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the occasion.
The post, written in Gujarati, calls on citizens to participate in this 'Rashtra Parva' (national festival) and 'resolve to strengthen the unity and integrity of the nation.' Central to the day's programme is the 'Ekta Parade' — a ceremonial march held in the presence of PM Modi as part of the national observance.
Patel's legacy at 182 metres: why Ekta Nagar became the nerve centre
The Statue of Unity, inaugurated in October 2018 and standing in what was officially renamed Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, is the physical embodiment of the political project of remembering Patel. At nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty, it was built to make a point: that the man who integrated over 500 princely states into independent India deserved a monument on a scale matching the task. Every year since, the site has become the natural stage for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas observances.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: from 2014 declaration to annual tradition
The Government of India declared Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2014 — the same year the current central government took office — to institutionalise the annual commemoration of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October. The day anchors a suite of unity-themed programmes, of which the Ekta Parade is the centrepiece. Over consecutive editions, the parade has grown into a recurring platform where senior leadership underscores themes of territorial integrity and national integration, drawing on Patel's historic role in holding together a newly independent, fragmented subcontinent.
As PM Modi leads the observance at the Statue of Unity once again, the message from Ekta Nagar is the same as it has been every 31 October since 2014 — only louder, and taller.
Point of View
With the Statue of Unity serving as its permanent altar. The annual gathering of senior leadership at Ekta Nagar reinforces a deliberate effort to position Sardar Patel as a unifying national symbol that transcends regional identities. For Gujarat specifically, hosting the prime ministerial observance each year cements the state's centrality in the national unity narrative. The Ekta Parade adds a visual, martial dimension that amplifies the message of territorial integrity — a theme that carries particular resonance in the current geopolitical climate.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and why is it celebrated on 31 October?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on 31 October — the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel . It was declared by the Government of India in 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
Where is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 being celebrated?
The 2026 edition is being celebrated at Ekta Nagar, Statue of Unity in Gujarat , which has become the primary venue for national observances of this day since the statue's inauguration in 2018.
What is the Ekta Parade?
The Ekta Parade is a ceremonial march held as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme at Ekta Nagar, symbolising national unity and integration. In 2026, it is being held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
How tall is the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity stands 182 metres tall, making it the world's tallest statue. It is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and is located in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat.
Who was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, widely known as the 'Iron Man of India.' He is credited with overseeing the integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union following independence in 1947.
