Sonowal: PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel at Statue of Unity
Synopsis
On National Unity Day, PM Modi paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal marked the occasion, invoking the Iron Man of India's enduring legacy of national integration.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 .
The date marks Patel's birth anniversary , observed nationally as National Unity Day .
The Statue of Unity , inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 , is the world's tallest statue at 182 metres .
Patel integrated over 500 princely states into India after independence as the country's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal , a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Assam, posted the tribute on X.
On the birth anniversary of India's 'Iron Man,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat on Saturday, 31 October 2026 — a pilgrimage to the world's tallest statue that has become the defining ritual of National Unity Day. Union Ports and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal marked the occasion on X, noting that 'the legacy of the Iron Man of India continues to inspire us all.'
A statue, a date, and a deliberate choice
The Statue of Unity — standing at 182 metres, the tallest in the world — was itself inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 31 October 2018, Patel's birth anniversary, making Kevadia the permanent ceremonial home of National Unity Day. That choice was no accident. Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, shepherded the integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after 1947 — a feat of political will and diplomatic coercion that shaped the territorial contours of the republic as it stands today.
Why Patel's legacy carries such weight in 2026
The BJP-led government has, over successive years, anchored its political identity in part to Patel's image as the architect of a unified, strong-centre India — a counterpoint to the Nehruvian tradition that long dominated public memory of the independence era. Annual tributes at Kevadia, high-profile commemorations, and the sheer physical presence of the Statue of Unity serve as recurring reminders of that framing. Minister Sonowal's post joins a chorus of similar tributes from senior government figures on this date each year.
For Sonowal — himself a former Chief Minister of Assam, a state whose integration into India after 1947 was part of the same complex mosaic Patel navigated — the resonance of the occasion carries a regional dimension as well.
Point of View
The government repeatedly invokes a vision of India defined by strong central authority and territorial consolidation, differentiating its ideological lineage from the Nehruvian mainstream. Senior ministers amplifying the tribute on social media — Sonowal among them — extend the ritual's reach beyond the monument itself. The consistency of this pattern year after year signals that Patel's legacy will remain a live, rather than merely historical, reference point in Indian political discourse.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PM Modi visit the Statue of Unity on 31 October every year?
31 October is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary, observed as National Unity Day . The Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat was inaugurated by PM Modi on this date in 2018 , making it the focal point of annual commemorations.
What is the Statue of Unity and where is it located?
The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue at 182 metres , depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is located in Kevadia, Narmada district, Gujarat , and was dedicated to the nation by PM Modi on 31 October 2018 .
Who was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and why is he called the Iron Man of India?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. He is called the 'Iron Man of India' for overseeing the integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947.
Who is Sarbananda Sonowal?
Sarbananda Sonowal is the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, a senior BJP leader, and a former Chief Minister of Assam .
What is National Unity Day in India?
National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed every year on 31 October to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to honour his contribution to the unity and integrity of India.
