Prime Minister Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel on his 151st birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on Saturday to offer floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 151st birth anniversary.

National Unity Day

The country observes October 31 every year as National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. The government has marked this day annually since 2014 to strengthen the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. Sardar Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat, on October 31, 1875, and passed away on December 15, 1950. After independence, he served as India's first Home Minister and successfully united more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union.

Tributes And Remarks

Mr. Modi praised Patel for his major role in bringing the country together and building the nation. He called Patel the pioneer of a united India and the Iron Man of the country, noting that Patel dedicated his whole life to creating a strong, rich, and capable nation. The Prime Minister stated that Patel's hard work and sacrifice continue to inspire efforts to build a developed and self-reliant country.

Context

Sardar Patel is widely remembered as a central figure in shaping modern India through his diplomatic skills in merging hundreds of princely territories. The Statue of Unity, built in his honor in Gujarat, stands as the tallest statue in the world and functions as a major national memorial.