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October 31, 2024 10:53
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National Unity Day 2024, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, marks Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary on October 31st.
National Unity Day 2024 or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is a significant event widely observed across India. This significant day is dedicated to honouring the vision of unity, integrity, and security that the Iron Man of India, ‘Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’, worked tirelessly to promote. In this informational guide, we will explore the significance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day 2024, and get to know why it is celebrated, its historical context, and the celebrations planned for 2024.
National Unity Day 2024 or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is on October 31st, 2024 to honour the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a prominent and key figure in India’s unity and integrity. The day is celebrated with national unity, strength, and the contribution of Patel in integrating India’s diverse states.
| National Unity Day 2024 or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Event Name | Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) |
| Date | October 31, 2024 |
| Observed In | India |
| Significance | Commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| Purpose | Promotes national unity, integrity, and honours Patel’s contributions |
| Key Activity | Unity runs, seminars, and events celebrating national integration |
| First Observed | 2014 |
| Official Recognition | Initiated by the Government of India |
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day 2024 is a national observance in India that is celebrated every year on October 31st, 2024 to honour the ideals of unity, peace, and integrity. This specific day was introduced by the Government of India in 2014, by observing the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was India’s founding fathers.
Sardar Patel is credited and honoured with the huge task of unifying the nation after the period when India gained its independence from the Britishers in 1947. The vision, dedication, and leadership of Patel helped to integrate over 550 states into the newly independent nation, which earned him the title of “The Iron Man of India.” Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is celebrated every year to pay tribute to our founding father’s efforts and to promote the values of unity in a diverse country like India.
The history of National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is deeply rooted and interlinked with the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Patel was born on October 31st, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, Patel emerged as a prominent key figure in the fight against the Britishers and the Indian freedom struggle. After India achieved independence in 1947, Patel’s leadership was instrumental for the nation to ensure the peaceful integration of over 500 states into the Indian Union.
His statesmanship and diplomatic skills in resolving conflicts and promoting national unity earned him immense respect, and in 1991, after his demise, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was established and started commemorated in 2014 to honour his legacy and to remind citizens of the need for unity in the face of challenges that threaten national cohesion.
The celebration of National Unity Day 2024, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, was held on 31st October and featured various activities and events throughout India. From government-organized functions to citizen-led initiatives, the day witnessed active participation across the country.
The ‘Run for Unity,’ traditionally held on ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), was organized on October 29th this year. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had announced this adjustment during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program on Akashwani, citing the Deepawali festival as the reason for rescheduling the event from October 31st to October 29th, which fell on a Tuesday.
The Prime Minister urged people across the country to participate in large numbers, encouraging them to embrace both the spirit of national unity and the mantra of fitness. On ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ itself, which was observed on October 31st, tribute programs honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and National Unity Day pledge ceremonies were held across the nation.
The celebration of National Unity Day 2024 or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is not only limited to observing the birth of Sardar Patel but it is also about supporting the idea of a united India. The day encourages citizens to uphold the values of national unity and integrity in everyday life.
Here are some of the key reasons why we celebrate National Unity Day in India:
The Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is a monumental statue located near Kevadia in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Statue of Unity was inaugurated in 2018 and stands as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s role in uniting India. Standing at a height of 182 meters(The tallest Statue in the World), this statue not only symbolizes the towering personality of Sardar Patel but also the towering vision of uniting India.
Visitors from all over the world come to admire this engineering marvel designed and created by Indian sculptor Padma Bhushan-winning Ram V. Sutar, which represents the country’s gratitude to the Iron Man of India. As part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day 2024 celebrations, the Statue of Unity will be the focal point for events promoting the ideals of integration and unity.
The Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2024 is the highest civilian honour dedicated to contributions to India’s unity and integrity. This honour was initiated by the Government of India and is announced every year on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day. The award recognises individuals and institutions that have made exceptional efforts in promoting national unity, reinforcing the vision of a strong and united India.
Nominations for the Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2024 are received online through a centralised portal managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the process starts on June 1, 2024. This award inspires future generations to continue Sardar Patel’s mission of fostering a united nation.
The Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2024 will be announced on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Meanwhile. Here is the list of previous year’s award winning recipients who were honoured for their outstanding contributions to promoting national unity and integrity.
| Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2024 | |||
| Year | Recipient | Institution | Dissertation Topic |
| 2022 | Dr. Sarath Pillai | University of Chicago | Federal Futures: Imagining Federation, Constitution, and World in Late Colonial India |
| 2021 | Dr. Ketaki Jaywant | University of Minnesota | Secularizing Caste: Mapping Nineteenth-Century Anti-caste Politics in Western India |
| 2020 | Dr. Ahona Panda | University of Chicago | Philology and the Politics of Language: The Case of Bengali, 1893-1955 |
| 2019 | Dr. Sahana Ghosh | Yale University | Borderland Orders: Gendered Economies of Mobility and Security across the India-Bangladesh Border |
| 2018 | Dr Rebecca Whittington | UC Berkeley | The Play of Dialect in Modern Bengali and Tamil Literature |
National Unity Day 2024 or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is a day that resonates with the essence of what it means to be Indian—united in diversity. It is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose vision of a united India continues to inspire millions. Whether through the Statue of Unity, the “Run for Unity,” or the pledge of national integration, the celebrations on this day will reinforce the ideals of unity, integrity, and strength that are crucial for the nation’s prosperity.
In 2024, let us come together to celebrate Rashtriya Ekta Diwas National Unity Day 2024 and continue to uphold the legacy of Sardar Patel, ensuring that India remains a united and strong nation.
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