National Unity Day: Naxal-Free India Theme Highlights Ekta Nagar
Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district hosted the National Unity Day celebrations on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. The occasion commemorated the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the country's first Home Minister and a central figure in the integration of princely states after Independence.
The ceremony was built around a central message of national security, unity and progress. The parade showcased the work of security forces, who were praised for their contribution to protecting the country and combating armed left-wing extremism.
Sixteen marching contingents from nine states and one Union Territory participated in the parade. They were joined by four Central Armed Police Forces, the National Cadet Corps and a marching band, creating a broad display of the country's security and youth institutions.
The parade's standout moments included the NSG's 'Hail March' contingent and the motorcycle display by BSF and CRPF personnel, both men and women, which showcased skill and courage. The BSF's joint martial arts demonstration of various Indian disciplines also drew attention.
Student participation added another dimension to the event. A pipe band performance by school children preceded the Indian Air Force's 'Surya Kiran' flypast, one of the day's most visible highlights. Prime Minister Modi then administered the National Unity Pledge.
The celebrations placed special focus on the theme of a 'Naxal-Free India'. The Union Home Ministry said the parade included police and CAPF contingents that had played frontline roles in campaigns against left-wing extremism. Films that documented their actions and achievements were displayed as the contingents passed the Prime Minister.
A theatrical performance organised by the National School of Drama explored the same theme. It featured around 2,000 artists from 126 districts that had once been affected by armed Naxalism, depicting both the challenges faced by local communities and the transformation toward peace and development. Around 5,000 people from these districts were invited to the event.
The cultural segment carried the theme 'Vande Mataram', marking 150 years of the national song. Around 5,000 artists from different parts of the country performed, presenting India's varied regional traditions and reflecting the idea of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat'.
Another notable change was the process behind the tableaux. Designs were drawn from citizen submissions received through national and Gujarat-level competitions, rather than from government departments and state governments alone.
Prior to the parade, the Prime Minister visited the Statue of Unity near the Sardar Sarovar Dam to offer floral tribute to Sardar Patel. In Ekta Nagar, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects worth Rs 426.71 crore and visited the Rain Forest and the Vaman Vriksha Vatika.
National Unity Day is observed each year on October 31 to honour Patel's role in unifying the country after Independence. The annual celebrations in Ekta Nagar bring together security personnel, cultural groups and citizens from across India.