Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district on Friday. The celebrations will take place at the ‘Statue of Unity’, the tallest figure of the country's first home minister.
The annual Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) celebrations, which commemorate the birth anniversary of the ‘Iron Man of India’, will include a cultural festival and a grand parade by security forces showcasing their skills, discipline, and valour, an official statement said.
“Rashtriya Ekta Diwas symbolises India's unity, integrity and national solidarity. This year's celebrations are particularly special, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel,” the statement highlighted.
The Prime Minister has urged citizens to join a ‘Run for Unity’ on October 31st to celebrate the occasion, which reminds countrymen of the pivotal role played by Patel in the formation of Independent India, laying the foundation of a modern nation. The Modi government has been observing October 31 as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas since 2014 to foster and reinforce its dedication to preserving and strengthening the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat.
Nestled between the Satpura and Vindhyachal mountain ranges, Ekta Nagar in Narmada district reflects the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’, blending natural beauty with cultural richness.
This year’s National Unity Day parade will include contingents from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with police forces from 12 states and the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
The parade will include cavalry and camel-mounted units, demonstrations by native dog breeds, and different martial arts and unarmed combat exercises. Interestingly, the guard of honour to be given to the Prime Minister will be commanded by a lady officer, and women personnel from CISF and CRPF will perform martial arts and unarmed combat exercises, highlighting the strength and valour of India's daughters.
Further attractions in the parade will include a marching contingent comprising Indian breed dogs of the BSF, Gujarat Police’s horse contingent, Assam Police’s motorcycle daredevil show, BSF's camel contingent and camel-mounted band.
Demonstrations by indigenous dog breeds— Rampur hounds and Mudhol hounds. The dog squad will be led by ‘Riya’, a Mudhol hound which recently stood first at the all-India police dog competition.
The grandeur of the ceremony will be amplified by NCC cadets and school bands.
Additionally special attraction will be an air show by the Surya Kiran team of the Indian Air Force, while ten tableaux from various states, Union territories, and central forces (including the NSG and NDRF) will spread the message of unity in diversity.
The event will also honour five Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CRPF and 16 gallantry medal winners from the BSF, who demonstrated exceptional courage in counter-terror and anti-Naxal operations.
The cultural event, arranged by the Ministry of Culture, will feature 900 artistes, bringing out the great diversity of India.
After the main event, Ekta Nagar will organize 'Bharat Parv' from November 1st to November 15th, with cultural performances and a food festival showcasing various states. On November 15th, the festival will reach its culmination with special programmes of Birsa Munda Jayanti, promoting the glorious culture and indomitable spirit of India's tribal people.
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