National Unity Day - Remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

National Unity Day

 

1. When and Why World Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) Celebrated?

On October 31, India observes National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. In 2014, the Indian government launched National Unity Day. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, who played a significant role in India's political unity.

 

Don't Forget to Check Out the Following Blogs -

 

 Life of the Iron Man: Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

 8 Life Lesson to Learn from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

 

2. What is the Significance of National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)?

A country with diverse cultures, traditions, religions, and languages, India is known for its unity among its people. The idea of unity was vigorously promoted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel when India was divided among princely states and British India. Thus, National Unity Day celebrates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's efforts to unite the nation.

National Unity Day commemorates Patel's birthday because he is credited with integrating more than 550 princely states into India from 1947 to 1949 as the Home Minister of India. Due to this, he was also known as the "Bismarck of India". The significance of this day can be summed up as follows:
  • Its purpose is to assert the shared togetherness of Indians.
  • Even though there are differences among the people, it wants them to remain united.
  • As part of National Unity Day, Indian citizens are reminded of Sardar Patel's and other activists' struggles and sacrifices that brought the country closer together.
3. About Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

Known as the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played an important role in the independence movement. Among the great freedom fighters of India, he is remembered as a very strong and dynamic person. His contribution to the Indian Freedom Movement was significant. During the Indian freedom struggle, Sardar Patel was a prominent and eminent leader. The contribution he made to the independence of our country is immense.

Nadiad village in Gujarat is the place where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875 among the Patidar community of Leuva Patel. Known as Sardar Patel by his contemporaries, his full name is Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel. Zaverbhai Patel, Sardar Patel's father, served in the Army of the Queen of Jhansi, and Ladbai, his mother, was spiritually inclined. Since childhood, Patel exhibited a lot of courage.

An instance occurred when he treated a painful boil with a hot iron rod without hesitation. Sardar Patel completed his matriculation at the age of 22 when everyone else was finishing their degree, and everyone assumed he would be working on ordinary tasks. Sardar Patel pursued his education after getting his matriculation and then went to England to become an attorney. He continued to practice law in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, after returning to India.

 

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel



In October 1917, he met M K Gandhi, who introduced him to the Indian independence struggle. He joined the Indian National Congress, and his first protests against British crimes were Satyagrahas in Gujarat. Later, in 1942, he actively joined in and volunteered for the Quit India Movement, closely working with Gandhiji. During the India Freedom Movement, Patel made a significant role to uniting the Indian people. Several times throughout this period, he was imprisoned. Patriotism and the desire to drive the British out of Indian Territory became his first and only goal.

Following independence, he was a key figure in India's unity. By visiting to remote and border areas, he urged the rulers of princely kingdoms to merge and become a part of One India - One Nation. Following Independence, he was appointed as India's first Home Minister as well as the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.

Sardar Patel believed that without a good all-India service, there would be no united India. Patel was plainly aware that independent India required a steel structure to govern its civil, military, and administrative bureaucracies. His reliance in institutional mechanisms such as an organized command-based army and a systemized bureaucracy proved to be a blessing.' His encouragement to the probationers to maintain the highest level of impartiality and incorruptibility un administration is as relevant today as it was then.

Later, he was appointed as India's first Deputy Prime Minister. He was one of three leaders that led India from 1947 to 1950. Sardar Patel became ill rapidly in the summer of 1950 and died on December 15, 1950, after suffering a massive heart attack at Birla House in Bombay, now Mumbai in Maharashtra, India.
4. Statue of Unity

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Unity Statue in Gujarat, India. The Statue of Unity is a monument dedicated to Sardar Patel that is located in the Indian state of Gujarat, 3.2 kilometers from Sadhu Bet near Vadodara, opposite the Narmada Dam. It is the world's tallest statue, standing 182 meters tall and surpassing the Spring Temple Buddha by 54 meters.

This statue and surrounding constructions cover 20,000 square meters and are surrounded by a 12-kilometer artificial lake at a cost of 29.8 billion rupees. On October 31, 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel's birth, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated it. The statue's height in meters was chosen to correspond to the total number of assembly constituencies in Gujarat.

5. How to Take Pledge on National Unity Day/ Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

 

Pledge on National Unity Day



According to the Home Ministry of India's official statement for National Unity Day, the day "will provide a chance to re-affirm our nation's inherent strength and resilience to endure real and potential challenges to our country's unity, integrity, and security."

On the occasion, the following vow is read aloud at government offices as welll as by the general public of India:

"I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen. I take this pledge in the spirit of unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure internal security of my country".

Steps to take Pledge on National Unity Day:
  • Step 1: To take the pledge you have to visit the official website - RASHTRIYA EKTA DIWAS PLEDGE (mygov.in)
  • Step 2: Click on “Take Pledge” button. A form will open.
  • Step 3: Fill in the following details in the form- Name, gender, ID Proof, DOB, Address, E-mail Id, Mobile Number.
  • Step 4: After filling the personal details form click on the “Proceed for Language Selection” Button. Now choose your language.
  • Step 5: The page which have pledge will open. Now take the pledge and click on “I Pledge” Button.
  • Step 6: Now You have to enter the OTP which you will get on your E-mail Id or Mobile number. Now Submit the OTP.
  • Step 7: Now your Pledge Certificate will generate and you can download, print or share this Pledge certificate.
So don’t forget to take the Pledge on this National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.


National Unity Day   Remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel   The Early Life of Vallabhbhai Patel   Pledge on National Unity Day   Rashtriya Ekta Diwas   How to Take Pledge on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas   Statue of Unity  


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