Sardar Patel's Legacy: Why India Marks National Unity Day

India observes National Unity Day on October 31 each year, honouring the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The day recognises his vital contribution to uniting the nation and calls on citizens to uphold the principles of sovereignty, peace and integrity that he stood for.

Beyond tributes and ceremonies, the observance encourages people to recommit to unity in diversity, a foundational idea of the Indian nation.

The government first marked the day in 2014 to acknowledge Patel's remarkable role in shaping the country. The observance has since grown into a national occasion that brings people together in shared remembrance.

In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative on National Unity Day. The initiative seeks to foster consistent and well-organised engagement among people from different parts of the country, building mutual understanding and connection.

Across the nation, the 'Run for Unity' brings together enthusiastic participants. Government offices, schools and institutions also administer the National Unity Pledge, in which people take an oath to protect the unity and security of the country.

The main national celebration takes place at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, which is known as the world's tallest statue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi regularly attends the programme. This year as well, a large-scale event is being organised, and the Prime Minister will take part.

As India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Patel played a leading role in national integration after 1947. He was tasked with bringing more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union. Those states made up nearly 40 per cent of the country's area and population.

The Indian Independence Act allowed princely rulers to choose between joining India, joining Pakistan, or staying independent. Patel responded with diplomatic dialogue, persuasion and, where required, firm administrative action to halt the breakup of the country.

Working through the States Department, Patel completed the integration of these states by 15 August 1947 or immediately afterwards. This safeguarded the territorial integrity of modern India, prevented potential disintegration and established the base for a unified democratic republic. National Unity Day is observed to remember these efforts.