National Unity Day 2022: Know History, Significance Of The Day Dedicated To Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Popularly known as the ‘Iron Man' of India, Sardar Patel was a lawyer, political leader and statesman who succeeded in bringing people together for the country’s advancement.  

File Photo Of The 'Statue of Unity'

Source : Getty

National Unity Day 2022: Today marks the 147th birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is observed as National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life and his vision of a united India. The day is celebrated every year on 31 October.

Also, popular as the ‘Iron Man' of India, Sardar Patel was a lawyer, political leader and statesman who succeeded in bringing people together for the country’s advancement. Sardar Vallabbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875. He served as the first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950.

The primary reason behind this celebration is to strengthen the nation's unity and spread awareness about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contribution to history.

Significance of the day

The National Unity Day was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 with the theme Run for Unity. The day is celebrated to depict the strength and resilience of the nation to hold on to unity, integrity, and security. As a land of unity in diversity, India promotes this day by conducting various cultural programmes. 

Patel was successful in persuading all the 565 self-governing princely states to accede to India after gaining independence from British colonial rule.

India also built the world's largest 182-meters statue of Sardar Patel to showcase his contribution to the nation. It is also known as the Statue of Unity and is located on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat's Vadodara. The statue was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar.

In 2019, PM Modi administered the National Unity Day Pledge at the Statue of Unity and reviewed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade presented by various police contingents of the country, in honour of Sardar Patel who was the country’s first Home Minister.

On this day, the Sardar Patel National Unity Award is also presented to recognise the inspiring contributions of people toward the cause of national unity and integrity. Schools and colleges host a variety of cultural activities with the theme of promoting unity. Patel breathed his last on December 15, 1950 after suffering from a heart attack and deteriorating health condition.

Check Inspirational quotes from Sardar Patel  

“Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word, and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be a measure of our success.”

Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonised and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power.

Every citizen of India must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain duties.

“Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.”

There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.