PM Modi leads National Unity Pledge at Ekta Nagar on Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary
Synopsis
At Ekta Nagar — home to the Statue of Unity — PM Modi led a national pledge on Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary, while BSF's first woman parachute-trained officer, Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju, commanded the national flag guard for the fifth consecutive year. The ceremony spotlighted India's Naxal-free campaign alongside the enduring symbolism of Patel's integrative legacy.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi led the National Unity Pledge at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 .
The event marked the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas .
Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju , the BSF's first woman parachute-trained officer , commanded the national flag guard for the fifth consecutive year .
A march-past honoured security personnel involved in operations against Left-Wing Extremism and the 'Naxal-free India' campaign.
The ceremony included a presentation of flags of Indian police forces , directed by Lokesh Anand and Yogesh Solanki .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 31 October 2026, led the National Unity Pledge at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Participants at the Parade Ground vowed to uphold the country's unity, integrity, and security — and to contribute to safeguarding its internal security.
The Pledge and Its Significance
The Prime Minister administered the oath to the assembled gathering, which was asked to stand, extend their right hands, and repeat the pledge after him. The pledge read: 'I solemnly pledge that I will dedicate myself to preserving the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also strive to spread this message among my fellow countrymen.' The ceremony concluded with the resounding slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.
The pledge also acknowledged Sardar Patel's vision and lasting contribution to national integration, with participants resolving to honour his legacy by actively safeguarding India's internal security.
BSF's First Woman Parachute-Trained Officer Commands Flag Guard
A standout moment of the ceremony was the arrival of the national flag, during which uniformed personnel saluted as the audience rose. The national flag guard was commanded by Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju, identified by officials as the Border Security Force (BSF)'s first woman parachute-trained officer. Notably, she has led the national flag contingent at the National Unity Day parade for the fifth consecutive year — a distinction that underscores both her individual achievement and the BSF's evolving representation of women in ceremonial command roles.
Key Highlights of the Day's Programme
The proceedings also featured a presentation of the flags of Indian police forces, symbolising their commitment to internal security and service to the nation. The presentation was directed by Lokesh Anand and Yogesh Solanki. A march-past by police and security forces from across the country formed another centrepiece of the event, with special recognition extended to personnel involved in operations against Left-Wing Extremism and the Union government's ongoing campaign for a 'Naxal-free India'.
Why Ekta Nagar and Why October 31
The annual celebrations at Ekta Nagar, situated near the iconic Statue of Unity, were conceived to commemorate Sardar Patel's pivotal role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence. Officials noted that observing his birth anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was designed to strengthen the spirit of national unity and reaffirm India's commitment to building a strong and self-reliant nation. This comes amid a broader government emphasis on national integration as a cultural and political priority.
Point of View
But Saturday's ceremony carried two details worth noting beyond the pageantry. Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju commanding the flag guard for a fifth straight year is a quiet institutional signal — the BSF is deliberately anchoring its most visible ceremonial moment to a woman officer, a choice that cuts against perceptions of the force as exclusionary. Meanwhile, the explicit spotlight on Naxal-free India operations in a unity parade is a political framing choice: it ties internal security progress to Patel's legacy of integration, lending a governance narrative to what could otherwise be purely commemorative. How much of that narrative reflects verified operational progress on Left-Wing Extremism remains a question mainstream coverage tends to pass over.
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 on 31 October each year to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is credited with integrating over 560 princely states into India after Independence. The observance was conceived to strengthen the spirit of national unity and reaffirm the commitment to a strong, self-reliant India.
What pledge did PM Modi administer at Ekta Nagar on 31 October 2026?
PM Modi administered the National Unity Pledge, in which participants vowed to dedicate themselves to preserving the unity, integrity, and security of the nation and to spread this message among fellow citizens. The ceremony was held at the Parade Ground in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat's Narmada district.
Who is Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju and why is she significant?
Assistant Commandant Mrudula Lingaraju is described by officials as the Border Security Force's first woman parachute-trained officer. She has commanded the national flag guard at the National Unity Day parade for the fifth consecutive year, making her one of the most recognisable figures in the ceremony's recent history.
What was the significance of the march-past at the 2026 Ekta Diwas celebrations?
The march-past featured police and security forces from across India, with special recognition given to personnel involved in operations against Left-Wing Extremism. It highlighted the Union government's campaign for a 'Naxal-free India' as part of the national unity and internal security message.
Where is Ekta Nagar and what is its connection to Sardar Patel?
Ekta Nagar is located in Gujarat's Narmada district and is home to the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The site serves as the focal point for annual National Unity Day commemorations because of Patel's legacy in unifying India's princely states after Independence.
