Posted On:
31 OCT 2026 9:24PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the shift from the traditional morning schedule to an evening ceremony, recalling the magnificent showcase at the Bharat Parv Pavilion the previous evening and the massive turnout of lakhs of citizens resolved to uphold unity during the morning's Run for Unity.
Pointing to the collective nationwide participation in building the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, alongside the unique aura of the venue and the inspiring energy of Unity Day, the Prime Minister stated that visiting the monument fills the heart with pride in being an Indian citizen and deep gratitude toward Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. “After independence, he united more than 550 princely states and wove this nation into the thread of unity with iron determination,” affirmed PM Modi.
Explaining that while independence empowers a nation to shape its own destiny and a republic guides decisions within constitutional bounds to ensure public accountability, the Prime Minister emphasized that unity provides the vital strength to advance together as one nation. “Therefore, in our country now, Independence Day, Republic Day, and Unity Day, all three national festivals are celebrated with full enthusiasm,” noted Shri Modi.
Highlighting the grand spectacle of national unity at Ekta Nagar through this year's National Unity Parade dedicated to the valor of police and security forces and tableaus showcasing India's heritage and aspirations, the Prime Minister observed that Unity Day has evolved beyond mere formal events into a celebration of public pride driven by public participation. “On this occasion, I congratulate all countrymen on National Unity Day, and I bow with reverence at the feet of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” remarked PM Modi.
Describing Sardar Patel as a towering historical figure without whom modern India cannot be imagined, the Prime Minister credited him with shaping the nation's present geographical and political form. “Even after Partition, the one who kept India safe from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean was Sardar Patel himself,” asserted Shri Modi.
Stating that Sardar Patel succeeded because he deeply understood India's character and consciousness, the Prime Minister explained that the leader recognized diversity not as a hurdle, but as the true foundation of national unity that has sustained Indian civilization for millennia. “With this very strength, we have touched the peaks of progress and prosperity,” observed PM Modi.
Emphasizing that Sardar Patel laid the foundation of modern India by uniting the country both geographically and emotionally, the Prime Minister highlighted his pivotal role in initiating the nation's cultural resurgence. “Through the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, he also initiated the cultural resurgence of the nation,” noted Shri Modi.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Somnath Temple's reconstruction, the Prime Minister stated that the temple flag flying proudly for a thousand years in defiance of tyrants inspired the ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv across the country. “And this year the country is celebrating this festival too with the same enthusiasm,” observed PM Modi.
Connecting the grand ceremonies of national unity, India's rising global stature, rapid economic growth, and the cultural revival spanning from Kashi Vishwanath to the Ram Temple, the Prime Minister stated that the nation is advancing along the very path envisioned by Sardar Patel. “And for this, this country will always remain indebted to him,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Recalling the two-year nationwide celebrations marking Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary during which the country took major pledges, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on his 151st birth anniversary that those resolutions have been fulfilled within a remarkably short span. “In these two years, the country has achieved several unprecedented milestones,” noted PM Modi.
Reminding the nation of his solemn vow made at Sardar Patel's feet during the 150th birth anniversary not to rest until Naxalism and Maoist terror were completely eradicated, the Prime Minister declared that the back of Left-Wing Extremism has been broken within a year, reducing the number of Naxal-affected districts from 126 in 2015 to zero by March 2026. He highlighted that regions scarred by decades of bloodshed are now joining the developmental mainstream with expanding roads, mobile networks, schools, and healthcare facilities. “For the youth who once faced uncertainty, new opportunities for education, employment, and moving forward are opening up,” asserted Shri Modi.
Welcoming families from formerly Naxal-affected regions attending the Unity Day celebrations as special guests and wishing them a bright future, the Prime Minister paid homage to the security personnel who laid down their lives for peace. “Today I also bow to all those brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to establish peace in these regions of the country,” affirmed PM Modi.
Observing that India today is safer and more resolute due to heightened public confidence born from tangible national accomplishments and a sensitive administration, the Prime Minister highlighted the historic milestone achieved in poverty alleviation after decades of hollow post-independence slogans where those chanting Garibi Hatao only enriched themselves. He cited a recent World Bank report revealing that 50 crore Indians overcame poverty in the 10 to 12 years prior to 2024. “Meaning, where earlier 27 out of 100 people were in the grip of extreme poverty, today this number has remained less than 3,” noted Shri Modi.
Explaining that this globally acclaimed feat was achieved by prioritizing poor welfare and empowerment over the past 12 years through leakage-free Direct Benefit Transfers, free ration, free healthcare, crores of pucca homes, toilets, smoke-free kitchens, and wide insurance coverage, the Prime Minister pointed out that social security coverage has expanded from under 25 crore people before 2014 to nearly 100 crore citizens today. Invoking Sardar Patel's blessings as the nation pays tribute to him, he reiterated the resolve to completely eradicate poverty. “With such efforts alone, we will remove poverty in the country and make the country a Viksit Bharat,” asserted PM Modi.
Emphasizing that national unity guarantees stability and success during the most turbulent global era in decades marked by wars, economic distress, resource crunches, and fractured supply chains, the Prime Minister stated that the solidarity of Indians remains the country's greatest pillar of strength to weather every global storm. Pointing to the recent international energy crisis that forced fuel rationing in several nations and sparked predictions of severe distress for populous, oil-importing India amid the activation of anti-India forces, he credited both diplomatic agility and public solidarity for shielding citizens from the shock.
Warning against divisive forces that have come out in the open after more than a decade of political frustration to plot conspiracies, pit citizens against one another, and weaponize social media to spread rumors and tarnish India's image, the Prime Minister urged citizens to recognize the patterns of secret foreign meetings, external backing from anti-India elements, and rhetoric echoing the nation's enemies. “We have ended Naxalism in remote areas, but the danger of ideological extremists has not yet passed from over the country, and the country has to remain ever vigilant against such entities,” cautioned Shri Modi.
Stressing that the grand mission of national unity and the journey toward a strong and capable India must continue unabated regardless of difficulties, the Prime Minister outlined the next major national priorities of completely securing India's borders, halting infiltration and demographic changes, and advancing toward a Secular Civil Code. Acknowledging that major resolutions and bold decisions will inevitably face roadblocks and storms, he declared that the nation will not be deterred from the unwavering resolves of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and a Viksit Bharat, working tirelessly with every breath and heartbeat toward the 2047 goal before concluding with festive greetings and chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. “We will reach the pinnacle of hard work, we will firmly confront tempests, but our vision will remain on a single goal, the making of a strong and capable India by 2047!” asserted PM Modi.
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MJPS/SS/PRK