National Unity Day

In News

• Since 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)  has been observed across the country on the Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31st October. 

About the Day

• National Unity Day provides an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.
• The statue of unity is a symbol of both unity and integrity.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950)

• Birth: 
  • At Nadiad, Gujarat on 31st October 1875.
  • In 2014, the Government decided to celebrate his birthday as National Unity Day to honour his contribution to integrating and unifying India.
• Titles:
  • Iron Man of India.
  • Patron saint of India’s civil servants for establishing the modern all-India services system.
• Pre-Independence Contributions:
  • He was a barrister, politician and one of the leading figures of the Congress party during the Indian freedom movement.
  • He along with Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari and M.A. Ansari came to be known as the ‘No-changers’, who opposed entry into legislative councils.
    • The Gaya session, December 1922, resulted in the defeat of the Swarajists (Pro-changers or who favoured the council-entry move).
  • In 1928, he successfully led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance against increased taxes.
    • Women of Bardoli bestowed him with the title ‘Sardar’, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’.
  • In March 1931, he presided over the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress. Karachi Session (1931 ) : President
  • He also participated in Salt Satyagraha (1930), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India Movement (1942).
  • He also played an important role in the Mutiny of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) of February 1946 by counselling the participants.
• Post-Independence Contributions:
  • During the first three years of Indian independence after 1947, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, Minister of Information and Minister of State.
  • He was the Chief Architect of India’s Steel frame, i.e., the civil services in India.
    • The National Police Academy is named after him. 
  • Played a significant role in the integration & political unification of India.
    • He was responsible for uniting all 562 princely states of the country to build the Republic of India.
    • In September 1948, he led Operation Polo, the name given to the police action for the annexation of the erstwhile state of Hyderabad into the Indian state.
  • Idea of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat:
    • Ek Bharat: He is recognized as the real unifier of India for his colossal contribution to integrate and making India a united and independent nation.
    • Shresth Bharat: He requested the people of India to live together by uniting in order to create the foremost and great India.
• Statue of Unity:
  • It is the tallest statue of the world (182 m) and has been built as a tribute to Sardar Patel.
  • It is located at Kevadiya in the Narmada district of Gujarat.
  • It overlooks the river basin of the Narmada River and the Sardar Sarovar dam. It stands on the Sadhu Bet hillock, connected by a 300-metre bridge, which offers access from the mainland to the statue.
• Death: 
  • In Bombay on 15th December 1950.
  • In 1991, he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.

Contemporary Relevance 

• Self-reliance was among the chief tenets of Sardar Patel’s economic philosophy and Economics was an intensely practical science for him.  
• He wanted the Indian economy built on surer foundations of increased industrial and agricultural production and increased wealth. 
• Decades after his death, Sardar Patel continues to inspire all those who are engaged in building a resurgent ‘New and Atma Nirbhar India’.

Source: TH