- 151st birth anniversary: Ekta Nagar celebrates the Iron Man of India with a grand National Unity Parade and tributes to his nation-building legacy
- National integration: Patel’s historic achievement of uniting more than 550 princely states remains the bedrock of modern India, says Prime Minister
- Major security milestone: Modi says Left-Wing Extremism has suffered a decisive blow, with Naxal-affected districts reduced from 126 in 2015 to zero by March 2026
- Poverty reduction: Cites World Bank report to highlight that 50 crore Indians overcame poverty in the decade preceding 2024
- Unity against challenges: Calls on citizens to remain vigilant against divisive forces, misinformation and attempts to weaken national solidarity
- Viksit Bharat 2047: Reaffirms the resolve to secure the country’s future through unity, development and collective determination
NE NEWS SERVICE
EKTA NAGAR, GUJARAT, OCT 31
India’s journey towards a strong, secure and developed nation is powered by the same spirit of unity that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel championed while integrating more than 550 princely states. Invoking that extraordinary legacy on the Iron Man’s 151st birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the country to confront challenges with confidence, celebrate its achievements and work with unwavering determination towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Participating in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on Saturday, the Prime Minister underlined Patel’s monumental contribution to shaping and safeguarding India’s unity. His message was both a tribute to the architect of national integration and a call to the present generation to carry forward the unfinished task of building a stronger India.
“We will reach the pinnacle of hard work, we will firmly confront tempests, but our vision will remain on a single goal, the making of a strong and capable India by 2047!” Modi declared, giving a stirring call for national resolve.
Patel’s vision: The foundation of a united India
Reflecting on the significance of the Statue of Unity and the collective effort that brought the world’s tallest statue to life, Modi said that a visit to the monument filled every Indian with pride and gratitude towards Sardar Patel.
“After independence, he united more than 550 princely states and wove this nation into the thread of unity with iron determination,” he said.
The Prime Minister explained that independence gives a nation the freedom to shape its destiny, while a republic ensures that decisions are guided by constitutional principles and public accountability. Unity, he stressed, provides the strength to move forward together.
“Therefore, in our country now, Independence Day, Republic Day, and Unity Day, all three national festivals are celebrated with full enthusiasm,” he said.
Describing Patel as a towering historical figure without whom modern India could not be imagined, Modi credited him with giving the country its present geographical and political form, even in the difficult aftermath of Partition.
He emphasised that Patel understood India’s civilisational character and recognised its diversity not as an obstacle, but as the foundation of national unity.
“Through the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, he also initiated the cultural resurgence of the nation,” Modi said, linking Patel’s legacy to the country’s cultural revival. He also referred to the 75th anniversary of the temple’s reconstruction and the ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv.
Ekta Nagar turns into a showcase of national pride
The National Unity Parade, dedicated to the valour and service of India’s police and security forces, and tableaux showcasing the country’s heritage and aspirations added to the celebrations at Ekta Nagar.
The Prime Minister noted that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas had evolved beyond ceremonial observances into a powerful expression of public participation and national pride. He congratulated citizens across the country and paid homage to Sardar Patel.
Recalling the two-year nationwide celebrations marking Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Modi said that several pledges made during the commemorative period had been fulfilled within a remarkably short time.
He also recalled the enthusiastic participation of citizens in the Run for Unity and the previous evening’s Bharat Parv Pavilion showcase, describing the collective spirit as a powerful reminder of the country’s commitment to unity.
Naxalism dealt a decisive blow, says PM
Highlighting what he described as a major national security achievement, Modi said the country had made decisive progress against Left-Wing Extremism.
Recalling his pledge during the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel that he would not rest until Naxalism and Maoist terror were eradicated, the Prime Minister said the number of Naxal-affected districts had fallen from 126 in 2015 to zero by March 2026.
“Naxalism has been dealt a decisive blow in the country,” he asserted.
He said regions that had endured decades of violence were increasingly joining the development mainstream, with roads, mobile connectivity, schools and healthcare facilities opening up new possibilities.
For young people in these areas, he added, opportunities for education, employment and a better future were expanding.
Welcoming families from formerly Naxal-affected regions who attended the celebrations as special guests, Modi wished them a bright future. He also paid tribute to security personnel who had sacrificed their lives in the fight to establish peace.
Poverty reduction and public confidence
The Prime Minister said India was now more secure and resolute than ever before, attributing this confidence to tangible national achievements and a responsive administration.
Citing a World Bank report, he said that 50 crore Indians had overcome poverty during the 10 to 12 years leading up to 2024.
“Meaning, where earlier 27 out of 100 people were in the grip of extreme poverty, today this number has remained less than 3,” he said.
Modi attributed the progress to a range of welfare and empowerment initiatives, including Direct Benefit Transfers, free foodgrain, healthcare coverage, pucca houses, toilets, smoke-free kitchens and insurance protection.
He also said social security coverage had expanded from fewer than 25 crore people before 2014 to nearly 100 crore citizens.
“With such efforts alone, we will remove poverty in the country and make the country a Viksit Bharat,” he said.
Unity as India’s shield in a turbulent world
Against the backdrop of wars, economic uncertainty, resource constraints and disrupted global supply chains, Modi described national unity as India’s greatest strength.
Referring to the recent international energy crisis and the pressure it had placed on several countries, he said India’s diplomatic efforts and public solidarity had helped the country withstand external shocks.
The Prime Minister also cautioned against attempts to divide society, spread rumours and damage India’s image through social media. He urged citizens to remain alert to forces seeking to exploit differences and undermine national cohesion.
“We have ended Naxalism in remote areas, but the danger of ideological extremists has not yet passed from over the country, and the country has to remain ever vigilant against such entities,” he cautioned.
A collective mission towards 2047
Reiterating that national unity was indispensable to India’s progress, Modi outlined the priorities of securing the country’s borders, checking infiltration and demographic changes, and moving towards a Secular Civil Code.
He acknowledged that bold decisions and ambitious national goals would inevitably encounter resistance and difficulties, but insisted that the country must not lose sight of its larger mission.
Every effort, he said, must be guided by the resolve to build a strong and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The celebrations concluded with the Prime Minister’s call to sustain the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and the collective determination to build a secure, prosperous and capable nation.
On a day dedicated to the leader who forged political unity out of extraordinary diversity, the message from Ekta Nagar was clear: India’s greatest strength lies in standing together—and its future will be shaped by the determination of its people.