Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2026 paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, saying it was difficult to imagine modern India without the Iron Man's contribution — particularly his achievement of uniting more than 550 princely states into a single nation after Independence. Modi was addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas gathering on Patel's 151st birth anniversary, held in the shadow of the Statue of Unity.

Patel's Role in National Integration

'After Independence, it was Sardar Patel who united more than 550 princely states and bound this nation together with his firm resolve,' Modi said. The Prime Minister credited India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister with not merely redrawing the country's territorial map but forging what he described as an emotional and civilisational unity. 'He did not just unite the geography of the country; he also bound the nation together through emotional unity,' Modi added.

Modi noted that Patel had grasped a foundational truth — that India's remarkable diversity was not a structural weakness but the very bedrock of its national identity. He reportedly observed that Patel understood how people across different regions had coexisted for thousands of years, and drew on that civilisational consciousness to hold the newly independent republic together.

Somnath Temple and Cultural Revival

The Prime Minister linked Patel's legacy directly to the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in Gujarat, describing that effort as the opening chapter of a broader cultural resurgence after Independence. Modi noted that the 75th anniversary of the temple's reconstruction is being observed through the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv'. He underscored that despite repeated attempts by invaders to destroy the shrine, its flag had continued to fly — and that the spirit of self-respect associated with Somnath had inspired the commemorative festival.

Kashi, Ayodhya and the Path Patel Showed

Drawing a direct line from Patel's vision to contemporary events, Modi placed recent national and cultural milestones — including the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya — within the broader trajectory charted by Patel. The Prime Minister said the country would remain indebted to Patel for securing India's unity in the turbulent aftermath of Partition and guiding its long-term national journey.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: The Occasion

The annual Rashtriya Ekta Diwas observance, held every year on 31 October, marks Patel's birth anniversary with a parade and cultural programmes at Ekta Nagar — the site of the world's tallest statue, built in the late Deputy Prime Minister's memory. This year's gathering drew particular significance as it fell on the 151st birth anniversary, a milestone year for commemorations. The event continues to serve as a platform for articulating the Centre's vision of national unity and cultural continuity.