The historic Sardar@150 Unity March, which began on 26 November 2025 from Karamsad as a determined tribute to the Iron Man of India, culminated today in a grand ceremony at the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat, transforming into one of the largest people-led movements of recent times.  Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment and Smt. Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of  State for Youth Affairs & Sports, joined today in the final leg of the padyatra, walking alongside the participants from Garudeshwar Dutt Temple to the Statue of Unity, lending immense inspiration and momentum to the concluding day of the historic padyatra. 

As part of the day’s events, the programme began with a Ek Ped Maa ke Naam initiative at Smriti Van, symbolising the padyatra’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Later, at Prerna Sthal in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk, Kevadiya Colony, Ekta Nagar, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya offered a solemn tribute to the Father of the Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, by performing the ‘Pratima Samman’ on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas. The Sardar@150 Unity March marks as a key component of the Government of India’s two-year nationwide celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The grand culmination ceremony of the Sardar@150 Unity March at the Statue of Unity was graced by an esteemed gathering of national and state leaders. Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, presided over the event, joined by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment; Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Shri Tokhan Sahu, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs; Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; Smt. Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports & Several other prominent leaders and senior officials were also present, reflecting the national importance of the occasion and lending further gravitas to the conclusion of the march.

Union Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, in his welcome address, said that the Sardar@150 Padyatra was inspired by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who had initiated an extensive two-year celebration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel through a series of programmes across the country. He said that lakhs of citizens participated in district-level padyatras, reflecting the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and the resolve to build 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' & ‘Viksit Bharat’, with yuva shakti playing a central role in realising this national aspiration.

“Youth from every corner of the country joined the padyatra on the occasion of Sardar@150 to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to offer their respectful homage to the Iron Man of India,” Dr. Mandaviya highlighted.

"This 182 km-long padyatra has been successfully conducted with the active participation of youth registered on the MY Bharat platform. 3.5 Lakh youth from 717 districts joined the national march in the last 10 days and  drew inspiration from the life and ideals of Sardar Patel,” Dr. Mandaviya said. He congratulated the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the meticulous arrangements and thanked all the young people for their enthusiastic participation, stating that the successful conclusion of the padyatra stands as a powerful example of national unity.

Speaking at the culmination ceremony, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s unmatched contribution to nation-building continues to guide India, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has honoured his legacy by following the Sardar’s path with unwavering commitment. Recalling Sardar Patel’s belief that the nation must always come first, he noted that this padyatra embodies that spirit. He added that the march has united people for Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, and expressed confidence that the same collective resolve will drive the country towards the vision of  Viksit Bharat@2047.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, said that the Sardar@150 Unity March has had an extraordinary impact, with people from across India coming together in a remarkable display of unity. He recalled that in an era when few dared to oppose British rule, it was in Bardoli that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel courageously stood against unjust taxation, going from village to village, inspired by Gandhiji’s teachings, to protect the farmers, a struggle that ultimately led to the historic reduction of tax to 6.5 percent and earned him the revered title of Sardar. He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revived Sardar Patel’s vision of national integration through the ideals of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, termed the culmination of the Sardar@150 Unity March “a celebration of India’s enduring spirit of unity, duty and nation-building”. He noted that the participation of padyatris across the country proves that the fire of unity ignited by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remains alive today and will continue to burn brightly. Describing Sardar Patel as the architect who integrated over 560 princely states to build an Akhand Bharat, he said the nation remains eternally indebted to him, emphasising that India will always remain grateful to Sardar Patel, whose leadership unified a fragmented land and laid the foundation of a truly united nation. The Vice President added that Sardar Patel’s dream of a strong and self-reliant India is being rapidly realised under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, whose reforms and youth-centric initiatives are steering the nation towards Viksit Bharat 2047. He urged the youth to contribute daily to nation-building with unity, discipline and national spirit. Shri Radhakrishnan stated that the padyatra reflects the collective resolve of a confident, new India. Concluding his remarks, he affirmed that India’s greatest strength is its unity, and that “India was one, is one, and will always remain one.”

What began as a symbolic national padyatra grew into a sweeping, countrywide movement powered by the Yuva Shakti of the Amrit Peedhi, citizens, and communities across 29 States and Union Territories. Across the nation, 1,527 district-level padyatras were organised, covering over 450 Lok Sabha constituencies and more than 640 districts, bringing together over 15 lakh people at the district and assembly-constituency level. From these districts, 3.5 lakh youth  representing 717 districts joined the national padyatra.  As the concluding procession from Garudeshwar Dutt Temple reached the world’s tallest statue, the atmosphere was charged with patriotic fervour and collective pride. With cultural performances echoing India’s vast diversity, tributes offered to national icons including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and a special tree-plantation programme symbolising India’s sustainable future, the march concluded as a moment of national awakening—celebrating Ek Bharat–Aatmanirbhar Bharat and reaffirming the timeless legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose vision of unity continues to guide the nation forward.

*****

Pawan Singh Faujdar