Introduction – National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31 every year in India to pay tributes to veteran freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also the first home minister of our country that contributed to convince several princely states to join India after Independence. This day grateful for the crucial efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the integration of India.

History – The Government of India announced that the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31 was celebrated as a National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Divas in our country. This national day provides an opportunity to reaffirm the resilience and the inner strength of India that resist the actual or potential threats to the integrity, security, and unity of our country.

Significance – Rashtriya Ekta Divas or National Unity Day is celebrated annually on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that played a significant role in the integration of India. Thus, he was popularly known as the ‘’Iron Man of India’’. During the freedom movement,Patel was a member of the Indian National Congress and fought against the British rule in India. 

After Independence, Patel was the first home minister of India. He was also played a significant role in persuasion about 500 princely states to join India. Patel faced challenges and managed to integrate these princely states without violence. In the year 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (182m tall) which is known as ‘’Statue of Unity’’ It is the tallest statue across the world and is situated on the banks of the Narmada River in Kevadia that facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam close to the Vadodara in the state of Gujrat.

This day aims to maintain the nation’s unity and pays tribute to the important contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai for our country. There are several programs are organized in offices, schools, and colleges all over the country to celebrate this day. On this day, employees of the central government pledge to maintain the integrity, unity, and security of our country.