PM Modi at Ekta Nagar for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the National Unity Day 2026 programme at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 31 October — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat broadcast the event live, continuing an annual tradition instituted in 2014 at the site of the Statue of Unity.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi attended the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 programme at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 .
National Unity Day is observed annually on 31 October , the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister.
The observance was instituted by the central government in 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
The event is held at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia), home to the Statue of Unity inaugurated in 2018 .
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat broadcast the programme live on X under #RashtriyaEktaDiwas2026 .
On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the National Unity Day celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 — the nation's annual salute to the Iron Man who stitched a fractured subcontinent into a single republic.
The Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat broadcast the event live on X, describing the Prime Minister's presence as garimamayi — 'dignified' — at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme under the hashtag #RashtriyaEktaDiwas2026. The venue itself carries enormous symbolic weight: Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is home to the Statue of Unity, the towering tribute to Patel inaugurated in 2018 that stands as the world's tallest statue.
Why 31 October at Ekta Nagar matters
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas — National Unity Day — was instituted by the central government in 2014 to mark Patel's birth anniversary every 31 October. Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, is credited with the integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union following independence — a feat of political will that defined the country's modern borders.
Choosing Ekta Nagar as the annual anchor for this observance is deliberate statecraft: the site transforms a calendar date into a living monument. Each year's programme reinforces the central and Gujarat state governments' shared focus on Patel's legacy as a unifying national symbol, while also spotlighting the region's growing profile as a heritage tourism destination.
A tradition that has grown since 2014
Since its inception, the National Unity Day observance has steadily expanded in scale and visibility. The completion of the Statue of Unity in 2018 gave the annual event a permanent, iconic backdrop — one that draws visitors and state delegations from across the country. The Ekta Nagar township developed around the statue has become a model for integrated tourism infrastructure in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Modi's presence at the 2026 edition continues a pattern of high-level political attention to this date, underlining the event's place on the national ceremonial calendar alongside Republic Day and Independence Day.
Every year on this day, India is asked the same question Sardar Patel answered with action: what holds a vast, diverse nation together? The answer, repeated in stone and ceremony at Ekta Nagar, is unity — and the political will to defend it.
Point of View
Integrationist statecraft. PM Modi's consistent presence at the event reinforces a long-running effort to position Patel as a unifying national icon that transcends regional politics. For Gujarat, hosting the event at the Statue of Unity also serves a dual purpose: cementing the state's role as the custodian of Patel's memory while driving tourism infrastructure investment around Ekta Nagar. The live broadcast by the CMO Gujarat signals that the state government views this not merely as a ceremonial duty but as a high-visibility political moment worth amplifying in real time.
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 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister. The day was instituted by the central government in 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
Where is Ekta Nagar and why is it significant for National Unity Day?
Ekta Nagar , formerly known as Kevadia, is located in Gujarat and is the site of the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, inaugurated in 2018 as a tribute to Sardar Patel. It has become the primary venue for the annual National Unity Day national programme.
Did PM Modi attend Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
Yes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 programme at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 , as confirmed by the Chief Minister's Office of Gujarat, which broadcast the event live on X.
When was the Statue of Unity inaugurated and who built it?
The Statue of Unity was inaugurated in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and stands at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat, constructed under a central government initiative.
What was Sardar Patel's contribution to India's integration?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, led the integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union following independence in 1947, earning him the title 'Iron Man of India.'
