- Gallantry awardees from BSF and CRPF to form elite Guard of Honour at Kevadia
- Women officers to lead parade themed ‘Unity in Diversity’
- Amit Shah, Bhupendra Patel, Harsh Sanghavi hail Sardar Patel’s legacy, salute valour of India’s forces guarding the nation’s unity
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, OCT 25
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar near Kevadia, Gujarat on Friday, October 31, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and architect of national unity.
This year’s event — themed “Unity in Diversity” — will feature a moving parade, cultural performances by over 900 artists, and a Guard of Honour by women officers. For the first time, gallantry awardees from Operation Sindoor — a daring mission executed on the western border — will honour the Prime Minister with a ceremonial salute.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is not just a celebration but a reaffirmation of Sardar Patel’s dream of a united India. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the nation stands strong and secure — from the borders of Kashmir to the coasts of Kutch. The bravery of our BSF and CRPF personnel in Operation Sindoor embodies that very spirit of oneness and resolve.”
Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary said the Prime Minister will be presented a ceremonial salute by 16 BSF gallantry medal winners and five Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CRPF. These brave personnel displayed “exceptional courage and operational precision” during Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist and hostile installations across the western border in May 2025.
Two BSF heroes were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for their supreme sacrifice during the operation.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “It is a matter of great pride for Gujarat that the Statue of Unity has become the symbol of India’s strength and harmony. This year’s celebration at Ekta Nagar, led by the Prime Minister, will showcase not just our diversity but our determination to stand united against every challenge.”
The grand parade will include contingents from BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and state police forces from Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, along with NCC cadets.
Adding a unique Indian touch, the event will feature indigenous dog breeds — Rampur and Mudhol hounds — demonstrating operational drills, including helicopter descents and river-raft rescues. These canine units have been instrumental in anti-narcotics and counter-insurgency missions along the borders.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi remarked, “The Ekta Diwas parade reminds every Indian that unity is our greatest security. The courage shown in Operation Sindoor will inspire the youth to serve the nation with the same dedication as Sardar Patel envisioned.”
This year’s celebrations will also include state tableaux, showcasing India’s linguistic and cultural richness. The parade, set against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity between the Satpura and Vindhyachal ranges, will culminate in the Prime Minister’s address to the nation — reaffirming India’s commitment to “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
