Why Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary celebrated as National Unity Day

Most Indians know that National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Divas is observed on October 31 every year to mark the birth anniversary of the great Indian leader Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel but only a few are aware of his contributions to the unification of this country. Sardar Patel was popularly known as the Iron man of India for his conviction and strong determination for the welfare and unity of the country.

Patel was a veteran and lifelong leader of India’s first national political party Indian National Congress (INC) and played a major role in India’s non-violent freedom movement. 

In 2014, the Narendra Modi led BJP government declared October 31 as the National Unity Day to honour the efforts of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel towards national integration.

Why is National Unity Day celebrated on Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s birth anniversary?

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was of the opinion that India could achieve heights only its people and boundaries ar unified. He always advocated the integration of Indian states into a Union.

After Independence, when Patel became the first deputy prime minister of free India, he decided to work on the vision of the county’s unity.

In the months preceding his election, Patel had laid the groundwork for a united India. He played a crucial role in persuading over 500 princely states to accede to independent India. Despite several hurdles and conflicts, Patel managed to integrate these regions largely without violence.

Through his significant efforts and conviction, India, which was then divided into hundreds of princely states became a Union of states.

This is why, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2014 declared that National Unity Day will be celebrated on Patel’s birth anniversary, every year.

National Unity Day will “provide an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country,” the MHA had said in an official statement in 2014.