Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, 31 October 2026, declared that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's life stands as a timeless model of sacrifice and patriotism for India's youth, speaking at the 'Ekta Run' organised in New Delhi to mark the 151st birth anniversary of the country's first Deputy Prime Minister. The event was held on National Unity Day, observed annually on 31 October.

Patel's Unifying Legacy

Addressing the gathering, Shah underscored the scale of Patel's historical achievement, noting that India attained a unified territorial identity under his stewardship in just 1,218 days. 'Even if several leaders worked together, work that could not be accomplished in an entire lifetime was achieved by Sardar Patel in just 1,218 days, creating an undivided India. Today, the India shaped by Sardar Patel's vision stands with pride before the world,' Shah said.

He reiterated that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, Patel's birth anniversary has been formally observed as National Unity Day — a practice that began in 2014 with the Government of India's official notification. The occasion is designed to reinforce the ideals of national unity, integrity, and security across generations.

Naxalism and the Drug-Free India Push

Shah also used the platform to highlight the government's twin priorities: eliminating Naxalism and combating drug abuse. He stated that by 31 March of this year, India had made measurable progress on both fronts. 'Today, on Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary, I appeal to people across the country to achieve our target of making the nation completely drug-free by December 31, 2029,' Shah said.

The Home Minister linked the drug-free mission directly to the broader 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) vision, arguing that a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' is a foundational prerequisite for achieving that long-term national goal. He also cited the abrogation of Article 370 as a landmark decision that fully integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India under Prime Minister Modi's tenure.

Tributes at Patel Chowk

Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel. The tribute was held at Patel Chowk in central New Delhi, which is named after the Iron Man of India and is surrounded by several prominent government offices and ministries.

Run for Unity Across India

Nationally, 'Run for Unity' events and unity marches were organised across the country as part of the annual commemoration. A separate 'Run for Unity' was also scheduled in the evening at Ekta Nagar. Prime Minister Modi had announced the programme during an event in Banaskantha on Friday, appealing to young people to participate in large numbers. This year's observance carries particular significance, marking a milestone 151st anniversary — a number Shah and other leaders used to reframe Patel's relevance for a new generation.

As India continues to chart its development trajectory, the National Unity Day framework increasingly serves as a dual-purpose platform — honouring historical nation-building while anchoring contemporary policy goals to a unifying national narrative.