National Unity Day: PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel; administers 'ekta pledge'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) celebrations in Gujarat's Kevadia on Thursday, honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with floral tributes and administering the Ekta Diwas pledge.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is celebrated on October 31 every year to commemorate Patel’s birth anniversary. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Patel was a key figure in India's fight for independence. As independent India's first home minister, the "Iron Man of India" unified over 565 princely states into the Indian Union.

An Indian Air Force flypast paid a floral tribute to Patel at the Statue of Unity. Modi then observed the Ekta Diwas Parade, which had 16 marching contingents from nine states, one Union Territory police, four central armed police forces, National Cadet Corps, and a marching band.

The NSG Hell March contingent, a daredevil show by BSF and CRPF male and female bikers, stole the show. There was also an Indian martial arts demonstration by the BSF, the IAF’s ‘Surya Kiran’ flypast, and a piped band performance by schoolchildren, among other events.

PM Modi's two-day Gujarat visit

Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. On Wednesday, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects as well as new tourist attractions worth Rs 284 crore. Later in the day, he addressed Officer Trainees from 16 civil services of India and three civil services of Bhutan who were part of the 99th Common Foundation Course, at the Statue of Unity.

The new projects included a sub-district hospital, smart bus stops, a 4 MW solar project, and two ICU-on-wheels.

Modi also inaugurated a new 50-bed sub-district hospital built at a cost of Rs 22 crore.

Other facilities inaugurated included 10 smart bus stops and as many pick-up stands for tourists at Ekta Nagar, push-button pedestrian crossings, car charging points, and a running track for State Reserve Police Force personnel.