Culture Minister Shekhawat shares PM Modi's tribute at Statue of Unity
Synopsis
On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, 31 October 2026, Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat live-streamed PM Modi offering a floral tribute at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed on 31 October every year to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.
PM Narendra Modi offered a floral tribute at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat .
The Statue of Unity , at 182 metres , is the world's tallest statue and was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 .
Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the live-stream from his official X handle.
Sardar Patel integrated more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 .
On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, 31 October 2026, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared a live-stream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering a floral tribute at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat — the world's tallest statue, standing as a permanent salute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who stitched a fractured subcontinent into one republic.
A date that carries its own weight
31 October is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary — observed nationally as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day. Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, is credited with persuading and, where necessary, pressuring more than 560 princely states to accede to the Indian Union after independence in 1947. Without that integration, the map of modern India would look unrecognisably different.The Statue of Unity and its origin
PM Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity on 31 October 2018 — exactly eight years ago — to mark Patel's birth anniversary and to anchor a new national-tourism landmark in Gujarat. Standing at 182 metres, the structure in Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) overlooks the Narmada river and the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The site has since grown into a full-scale tourism corridor, drawing millions of visitors annually and embodying the government's strategy of weaving monumental heritage infrastructure into India's cultural identity.Why the Culture Ministry amplifies this moment
For Minister Shekhawat, sharing the live-stream from his official handle is part of a consistent pattern: the Culture Ministry uses high-visibility heritage moments to reinforce the government's investment in national iconography and inbound tourism. The Statue of Unity sits squarely at the intersection of both mandates — a monument that is simultaneously a pilgrimage site for civic pride and one of India's most photographed tourism destinations. Every year the Prime Minister's floral tribute at Ekta Nagar doubles as the symbolic curtain-raiser for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas events held across the country. This year's live broadcast extends that reach to millions of screens in real time. Sardar Patel's legacy, embodied in 182 metres of bronze and steel, continues to draw the nation's gaze — and its leaders — back to the banks of the Narmada, year after year.Point of View
Tourism revenue, and political identity. As Rashtriya Ekta Diwas events mature into a full national calendar fixture, the Culture Ministry's visibility in co-owning them is set to grow.
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 commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel , India's first Deputy Prime Minister, who unified over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
Where is the Statue of Unity located?
The Statue of Unity is located in Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) in Gujarat , overlooking the Narmada river and the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
When was the Statue of Unity inaugurated and by whom?
The Statue of Unity was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 , on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
How tall is the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity stands at 182 metres , making it the tallest statue in the world.
What is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's role in the central government?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism , a senior BJP leader, and a Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan .
