PM Modi shares glimpses from Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Kevadia
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared photographs from Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Kevadia on 31 October 2026, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue inaugurated in 2018.
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed on 31 October every year to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.
The central government officially declared the day in 2014 .
The Statue of Unity at Kevadia, Gujarat — the world's tallest statue — was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 .
Sardar Patel oversaw the accession of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
PM Modi has made annual visits to Kevadia for the Ekta Diwas observance a consistent feature of his tenure.
On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared photographs from Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Kevadia, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 — the site where the world's tallest statue stands as a permanent tribute to the man who stitched a fractured subcontinent into one nation.
Patel's legacy, cast in steel and stone
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister, engineered the accession of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 — a feat of political will that defined the republic's territorial shape. The Statue of Unity at Kevadia, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 31 October 2018, rises as the world's tallest statue and has since anchored the annual national commemoration at this site.
Why 31 October carries the date
The central government declared 31 October as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas — National Unity Day — in 2014, aligning the occasion with Patel's birth anniversary. The day typically features Run for Unity processions, pledge-taking ceremonies, and visits by senior leaders across the country. Kevadia, once a quiet village in Gujarat's Narmada district, has been transformed into a flagship national memorial and tourism destination built around the tribute to Patel.
A consistent annual pilgrimage
Prime Minister Modi has made annual visits to the Statue of Unity for the Ekta Diwas observance a signature feature of his tenure — reinforcing a government emphasis on Patel's role in national integration as a foundational, non-partisan story of modern India. The sharing of 'glimpses' from this year's event extends that visual narrative to a national audience.
Sardar Patel's iron resolve built the India the map shows today — and every 31 October at Kevadia is a deliberate reminder of just how close that map came to looking very different.
Point of View
Long claimed primarily by the Congress, as a pan-Indian icon central to the BJP's nation-building narrative. By anchoring the annual commemoration at the Statue of Unity, the government has created a physical and symbolic address for that argument. Modi's consistent personal presence — and now his social-media amplification of 'glimpses' — sustains the emotional and political currency of the site year after year. For Gujarat specifically, Kevadia's transformation into a national pilgrimage hub carries significant tourism and soft-power dividends.
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 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister. The central government declared the occasion in 2014 to honour Patel's role in integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union.
Where is Kevadia and what is its significance?
Kevadia is a site in Gujarat's Narmada district that is home to the Statue of Unity , the world's tallest statue, built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 and has since become India's primary venue for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.
What activities take place on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas?
Celebrations typically include a Run for Unity — a nationwide pledge-taking run — along with formal ceremonies, visits by senior leaders, and cultural programmes at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia and across the country.
Why did PM Modi go to Kevadia for Ekta Diwas?
PM Modi has made annual visits to Kevadia for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas a consistent practice since inaugurating the Statue of Unity in 2018 , using the site as the national focal point for commemorating Sardar Patel's contribution to Indian unity.
Who was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, credited with negotiating and engineering the accession of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 , effectively defining the republic's modern territorial boundaries.
