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The National Unity Day 2023 will be celebrated on 31st October all over India. Also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, this national day was introduced by the Government of India in 2014 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a major role in the political integration of India in the post-independence era.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released an official statement on National Unity Day, ‘This day will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of India to withstand the potential threats to the country’s unity, integrity and national security. Let’s learn more about this national event.
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Also Read – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The Iron Man of India
Background
Started in 2014 by the Government of India, the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day, is observed on 31st October every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Patel played a crucial role in the country’s struggle for independence and later in the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union.
In 1947, India became an independent country, but there were around 565 princely states. These states were ruled by independent kings and were not formally part of the British. After Independence, these states chose to stay an independent state. Sardar Patel reached out to these independent kings and asked for their merger with India.
Through his diplomatic and leadership skills, Sardar Patel was able to persuade most of these states to join the Indian, except Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh, who were not willing to be a part of the Indian Union. After a long struggle, these states were merged with India.
Slogans
Sardar Patel was successful in persuading the princely state, because of which he was given the name of ‘Iron Man of India.’ His contributions to the nation-building process have left a lasting legacy, and he is revered as one of the founding fathers of the modern Indian nation-state. Here are some slogans given by Sardar Patel and the Government of India in his honour.
‘We Have One Heart and One Love, Let’s Feel the Same for All’
‘United we stand, divided we fall’
‘Strength in unity, power in teamwork’
‘Together as one, we can achieve the impossible’
Importance of This Day
To honour the Iron Man of India, the Government of India planned to construct the tallest statue in the world, the Statue of Unity. To achieve this goal, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) was established. With a total budget of US$422 million, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity on the 143rd anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31 October 2018.
📌 This day pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence and the unification of the country.
📌 This day emphasizes the importance of unity, integrity, and solidarity among the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions across the country.
📌 This day underscores the need to uphold the rich cultural diversity of India while promoting a sense of national identity that transcends regional, linguistic, and religious differences.
📌 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas serves as a reminder to the citizens of India of their shared history, struggles, and achievements. It instils a sense of pride and patriotism, encouraging individuals to work collectively for the betterment of the nation and to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
📌 This day highlights the idea that India’s strength lies in its ability to remain united despite its diversity.
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FAQs
A1. The slogan for National Unity Day 2023 is ‘Strong when united, weak when divided.’ It means that there is power in unity, and it gives you strength to perform an activity.
A2. The National Unity Day is annually observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a major role in the political integration of India in the post-independence era.
A3. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity on the 143rd anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31 October 2018.
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