- PM pays glowing tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary; calls him the architect of India’s unity and integrity
- “Every act that weakens national unity must be shunned; this is Sardar Patel’s India—firm on self-respect and security,” says Prime Minister
- Highlights decisive actions post-2014 in ending Article 370, crushing Naxal-Maoist terror, and removing symbols of colonial mindset
- Urges citizens to strengthen the four pillars of unity—Culture, Language, Inclusive Development, and Connectivity—to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’
NE NEWS SERVICE
KEVADIA, OCT 31
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Fri delivered a stirring address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations in Kevadia, Gujarat, paying rich tributes to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his 150th birth anniversary. The Prime Minister said the occasion was not merely a commemoration but a national reaffirmation of unity, integrity, and the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Referring to Sardar Patel’s unmatched contribution, the Prime Minister said, “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 underscored that the path Patel charted continues to guide modern India. “Every thought or action that weakens the unity of our nation must be shunned by every citizen. This is the need of the hour,” he said, adding that the foundation of India’s strength lies in its unity.
Calling this “Sardar Patel’s India”, the Prime Minister asserted that the country will never compromise on its security or self-respect. “Since 2014, our government has dealt a decisive and powerful blow to Naxalism and Maoist terrorism,” he stated, noting that the number of affected districts has fallen from 125 to just 11.
Marking a strong stance on internal security, he declared, “On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, our resolve is to remove every infiltrator living in India.”
‘Erasing the Colonial Mindset, Strengthening Nation First’
PM Modi remarked that New India is committed to erasing every trace of colonialism — from symbols to mindsets. “Today, the nation is removing every trace of a colonial mindset. By honouring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, we are strengthening the spirit of ‘Nation First’,” he said.
He cited landmark steps such as the renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya Path, the installation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s statue at India Gate, and the creation of National Police and War Memorials to immortalize the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes.
‘The Four Pillars of National Unity’
Outlining the vision for a Viksit Bharat, PM Modi spoke of four foundational pillars of India’s unity:
- Cultural Unity – Rooted in ancient traditions like the Char Dhams, Jyotirlingas, and Shaktipeeths, uniting the nation through shared faith and values.
- Linguistic Unity – Celebrating India’s linguistic diversity; “In our land, no one has ever imposed one language upon another,” he emphasized.
- Inclusive Development – Eradicating poverty and inequality to bridge social divides; “Over 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in the past decade,” he said.
- Connectivity of Hearts – Through physical and digital infrastructure linking North, South, East, and West, “a new era of people-to-people connection and cultural exchange” has begun.
‘Devotion to Maa Bharati Is the Highest Form of Worship’
Calling upon citizens to draw inspiration from Sardar Patel’s life, the Prime Minister said, “The devotion to Maa Bharati is the highest form of worship for every Indian. When 140 crore Indians stand united, even mountains make way.”
Concluding with a call for collective resolve, PM Modi urged citizens to strengthen national unity and reaffirm their commitment to ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, pledging to build a developed and self-reliant India in true homage to Sardar Patel.
