Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the national celebration marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The day, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, included a series of events honouring the country’s first Home Minister.
The Prime Minister reached the Statue of Unity at 8 am, offered prayers, and paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel. This was followed by the Ekta Diwas Samaroh, highlighting India’s unity, discipline, and cultural diversity.
Sharing a post on X, PM Modi said called Sardar Patel the driving force behind India's integration which shaped the nation's destiny in its formative years.
"India pays homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th Jayanti. He was the driving force behind India’s integration, thus shaping our nation’s destiny in its formative years. His unwavering commitment to national integrity, good governance and public service continues to inspire generations. We also reaffirm our collective resolve to uphold his vision of a united, strong and self-reliant India," he wrote in the post.
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The programme included the inauguration of the Ekta Parade and the administration of the National Unity Pledge by the Prime Minister. The parade featured a Guard of Honour, flag march, and award winning contingents led entirely by women officers. Police, Central Armed Police Forces, National Cadet Corps, and band contingents will take part, along with mounted units comprising horses, camels, and dogs.
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Sardar Patel integrated 550 states into India: PM Modi
During the celebration, PM Modi said Sardar Patel helped in integration of more than 550 states into India. He also took a dig at Congress and former Prime Minister JL Nehru over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the country had to suffer because of Congress' mistake on Jammu and Kashmir.
"After Independence, Sardar Patel accomplished the seemingly impossible task of uniting over 550 princely states. For him, the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' was paramount," he said.
He said Sardar Patel wanted to integrate entire Kashmir with India but then PM Jawaharlal Nehru did not allow it. "Kashmir was divided with a separate constitution and a separate flag. The country burned in the fire of the Congress's mistake on Kashmir for decades. Due to Congress's weak policies, a part of Kashmir fell under illegal occupation of Pakistan. Pakistan fostered terrorism. Kashmir and the country had to pay such a heavy price, yet Congress always bowed before terrorism," he said.
He also vowed that his government will finish Naxalism in the country. In his remarks, the prime minister also attacked the Congress over illegal infiltration in India and said his government has taken a pledge to expel each infiltrator from the country.
"Unfortunately, in the years following Sardar Sahib's death, the governments of the time lacked the same seriousness regarding the nation's sovereignty. On the one hand, the mistakes made on Kashmir, on the other, the problems arising in the Northeast, and the spread of Naxalism and Maoist terrorism across the country were direct challenges to the nation's sovereignty. But instead of following Sardar Sahib's policies, the governments of that era chose a spineless approach," he said.
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