Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day 2024

National Unity Day 2024 - Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31st every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister of India and first Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. 

This year, the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, famously known as the “Iron Man of India” was celebrated. He was a lawyer, political leader, and statesman who believed in the unity of people for the country’s advancements. 

The day is observed to recognise his contribution towards India’s Independence and unity. The prime reason behind the celebrations of National Unity Day is to boost the nation’s unity and spread awareness about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contribution to the country.

Also Read - India Independence Day 2024: Celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

National Unity Day History

Many people question why National Unity Day in India is celebrated. The Indian government first introduced the day in 2014 to pay tribute & mark the immense contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event with the theme “Run For Unity” in New Delhi. 

India is a land where we can find a commendable combination of various cultures, traditions, religions and languages. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel promoted the idea of unity during the time when the country was split into princely states & British India. Celebrating the day provides strength & resilience for the nation to form unity, integrity and security.

National Unity Day 2024 - Significance 

The observance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas depicts the nation’s strength and resilience by upholding unity, integrity and neighbourhood. Patel successfully persuaded all the 565 self-governing princely states to accede to India after getting independence from British colonial rule.

Not only this, but in honour of the extreme contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the government of India has also inaugurated the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (182 metres) near the Narmada River in Gujarat to depict the strength of unity in India. It is known as the “Statue of Unity'' and is called the 8th wonder of the world. Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar designed the statue.

Apart from this, in 2019, our PM Narendra Modi conducted the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge at the Statue of Unity and witnessed the National Unity Day parade by several police contingents of the nation to pay tribute to Patel. 

To celebrate the day, the government also organises the Sardar Patel National Unity Award to honour & mark the valuable contributions of individuals towards national unity & integrity. Schools & colleges organise a variety of cultural activities. Patel took his last breath on December 15, 1950, after suffering from a heart attack and poor health conditions. 

National Unity Day Theme 2024

National Unity Day Theme 2024 has not been officially announced yet. This day, observed on October 31, commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the "Iron Man of India," for his pivotal role in uniting the country post-independence. The day is marked by activities like the Run for Unity, pledge ceremonies, cultural events, and educational programs that promote national unity and integrity​

National Unity Day Quotes

Here are some inspiring National Unity Day Quotes:

• "Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." – Mattie Stepanek

• "Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." – Ryunosuke Satoro

• "Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking." – Mahatma Gandhi

• "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." – Henry Ford

• "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization." – Mahatma Gandhi

• "In diversity there is beauty and there is strength." – Maya Angelou

• "We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end." – Woodrow Wilson

• "United we stand, divided we fall." – Aesop

• "The nation’s strength resides in its unity, integrity, and resilience." – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

How is National Unity Day Celebrated?

Every year, National Unity Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by the nation by organising various events. In the morning, a floral tribute is given to the statue of Sardar Patel every year at Patel Chowk, New Delhi. 

The Indian government organises various programmes to celebrate the occasion, such as “Run for Unity”, pledge taking ceremony march held by the Indian police with the National Unity Day Slogan. 

The “Run for Unity” program is organised in major cities and various places in rural areas where students from schools, colleges, universities, and educational institutes participate in the program. The event is organised at a huge level in Delhi, where the run from Vijay Chowk to India Gate on the Rajpath in the morning.

The second program is organised in government offices, public sectors and public institutions by holding a pledge-taking ceremony. Employees & staff from the municipal corporations of various cities participate in the National Unity Pledge, exchange National Unity Day wishes and then go for Run for Unity. 

The third event takes place in the form of a march past by the police, including scouts, guides, NCC, NSS etc. It is organised in the major cities & district towns. Also, students from schools & colleges perform several cultural activities, including poster making to spread the message of unity and brotherhood, essay writing, speech narrating, quiz competitions, painting, art-making competitions, debates on various topics etc. The main objective behind organising various events on the occasion of 31 October National Unity Day is to promote national integration among the people of India and to maintain the unity & security of the country.

Facts About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• India's first home minister and the first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, died at 75. He was popularly known as the “Iron Man of India.”

• He was born on October 31st, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat.

• On January 5, 1917, Patel was elected councillor of the Ahmedabad municipality for the first time. Later in 1924, he was elected president of Ahmedabad municipality.

• He played a significant role in integrating several princely Indian states to form an Indian federation.

• During independence, he acknowledged several princely states to accept the Indian union. 

• After signing Gandhi–Irwin Pact, he was elected president of Congress for its 1931 session. 

• He was also associated with the Indian National Congress (INC) as the secretary of the Gujarat Sabha (Gujarat Wing of INC) and as the President of the INC session held in Karachi

• Women of Bardoli honoured him with the title of “Sardar” on Vallabhbhai Patel.

• He is recognised for his strong opinions on the unification of princely states into one nation, his supportive outlook towards women empowerment and his leadership role in making India a united country.

• The Statue of Unity in the Narmada district of Gujarat (2018) was built in his honour.

Conclusion

The objective of celebrating National Unity Day is to uplift the nation’s unity & spread awareness about the immense contributions of Vallabhbhai Patel. The observance of the day allows us to reaffirm the nation's strength with the utmost unity, integrity & security. The day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm across the country in public & private institutions.