Sardar Patel, a vision that forged a nation (Iron Behind India's Unity)

This 31st October 2025 marks the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. After India won independence in 1947, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the then India's Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister emerged as the architect of national integration.

Armed with conviction and political acumen, Patel and his secretary V.P Menon worked tirelessly for the nation building. Patel's influence extended beyond integration from a unifier to a nation builder. Recognising Patel's unparalleled contribution, the Government of India, in 2014 declared October 31st as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National unity Day). This day is marked by unity runs, public pledges and grand Ekta Parade. symbolic of India's collective will to stay united.

Patel's message echoes across decades, "manpower without Unity is not a strength, unless it is harmonized and united properly". He believed that India's strength lies in her Unity in Diversity. Such a diverse culture needs a stable environment, which is taken care by the India's police and central Arms Forces. Patel's message on Ekta Diwas is that of continuously Unifying India in every village, neighbourhood and every shared meal.

Standing tall on the banks of Narmada River, the 182 meters Statue of Sardar Patel. is not merely a monument of Steel and concrete, but an emblem of gratitude to the man who gave India its territorial soul. As previously said by PM Modi "the statue of Unity is not a monument to the past, but a pledge for the future".

The Govt of India has further promoted Patel's Idea from the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat program to cultural exchange initiatives to schools and universities. Across India, the schoolchildren are taking the unity pledge running marathons and the state capitals are hosting the Ekta Parades.

As India looks ahead to its centenary of Independence in 2047, the true measure of Unity will not be physical territory but shared purpose. The idea once held together 560 princely states must now hold together 1.4 billion dreams. Sardar Patel, with his first batch of IAS officers had recognised the fragility of newly independent nation and insisted on a professional, neutral and effective civil service.

From overseeing elections to implementing social welfare schemes, they upheld the Rule of Law, Equity and national Integration. They worked on crisis management, nation building and towards embedding national values amongst all citizens of India.

The guardians of Unity, the CAPFs have operated silently yet decisively ensured India's unity. They implemented practical side of Integration like maintaining Law and Order, supporting the administrative machinery and ensuring national strength. CAPFs including ITBP, BSF, CRPF, Assam Rifles NSG, SSB serve not only as security providers but as nation builders and act as backbone of unity.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrates the uniqueness and collective identity of India, be it regional diversities, art and music, festivals. On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the tribute to Sardar Patel lies not only in remembrance but in living his legacy "One India One Vision One determination".