Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Sardar Patel at Statue of Unity on 151st Birth Anniversary; Rs 400 Crore Projects, 10,000-Strong Parade
PM Modi paid tribute to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity on his 151st birth anniversary and unveiled projects worth over Rs 400 crore at Ekta Nagar.
Photo: Veera.sj / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ekta Nagar (Gujarat), 31st October 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered floral tributes at the Statue of Unity on Saturday morning to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as the country observed Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Gujarat that began on Friday. After the tribute at the 182-metre statue, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 400 crore at Ekta Nagar. Individual projects and their costs had not been listed in the reports available at the time of writing.
A parade of 10,000 personnel and 4,700 artists
The main Rashtriya Ekta Diwas ceremony is scheduled for the evening. According to details shared ahead of the event, around 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel and nearly 4,700 artists are taking part.
Contingents of State Police forces and Central Armed Police Forces will march past the Prime Minister, while short films on their work are shown on LED screens. Fifteen tableaux are part of the line-up, including a “people’s tableau” being shown at Ekta Nagar for the first time.
The cultural programmes this year are themed on Vande Mataram, which is marking 150 years since it was written.
Focus on districts once affected by armed Naxalism
A major theme of this year’s celebrations is the end of armed Naxalism in 2026. The National School of Drama is presenting a performance by about 2,000 artists drawn from 126 districts that were affected by Left-wing extremism. Around 5,000 people from these districts have been invited to watch and share their experiences.
Another segment features people from other states whose families have lived in Gujarat for generations, built around the idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. A nationwide bike rally against drug abuse is also part of the planned events.
The Prime Minister’s schedule for Saturday also included visits to the Rain Forest and the Vaman Vriksha Vatika at Ekta Nagar before the evening programme.
Why 31 October is National Unity Day
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas has been observed every year on 31 October since 2014 to remember Patel’s role in bringing more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence. He served as India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
The Statue of Unity at Kevadia, now called Ekta Nagar, in Narmada district was dedicated on 31 October 2018. At 182 metres it is the tallest statue in the world.
Run for Unity events across the country
Leaders across states paid tributes to Patel through the day, and Run for Unity events were held in many cities. In Pune, the city’s own Run for Unity starts from S.P. College ground on Tilak Road on Sunday morning. Our guide to the Pune Run for Unity 2026 has the flag-off times and race categories.
We will update this article after the evening ceremony.
For more national news, see our India section.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrated on 31 October?
It marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was born on 31 October 1875 and led the integration of the princely states into India. The day has been observed as National Unity Day since 2014.
Which birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is it in 2026?
31 October 2026 is Sardar Patel’s 151st birth anniversary.
Where is the main National Unity Day parade held?
The main parade and ceremony are held at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat’s Narmada district, near the Statue of Unity.
How tall is the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity is 182 metres tall and was dedicated on 31 October 2018.
