Ekta Nagar, Gujarat – The nation is gearing up for a momentous celebration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India’s unity and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India. Observed annually on October 31, this day serves as a powerful reminder of Patel’s pivotal role in uniting 562 princely states and establishing the bedrock of a unified India. This year’s celebrations carry exceptional significance, unfolding in Ekta Nagar, located in the Narmada district of Gujarat, where the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity — stands as a lasting tribute to Patel’s vision of national integration. The event, organized on a grand scale, symbolizes India’s “Unity in Diversity”, blending cultural richness, patriotism, and civic pride.
A Grand Parade and Women’s Empowerment at the Heart of the Celebrations
The centerpiece of the day will be a spectacular unity parade, bringing together contingents from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), State Police units, and the National Cadet Corps (NCC). Elite forces including the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will participate alongside police contingents from Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. The parade will feature camel-mounted formations, cavalry units, and martial arts demonstrations, presenting the unity and strength of India’s security apparatus. Indigenous dog breeds like the Rampur Hound and Mudhol Hound will display their agility and obedience, reflecting the growing emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense training. The celebrated Mudhol Hound “Riya”, winner of the All India Police Dog Competition, will lead the canine squad, showcasing the excellence of Indian breeds. A defining feature of this year’s event will be the prominent participation of women officers. The Guard of Honor presented to the Prime Minister will be led by a female officer, highlighting the rising role of women in India’s security forces. Women personnel from the CISF and CRPF will execute high-precision martial arts and unarmed combat displays, emphasizing their discipline and leadership. This initiative resonates with the government’s vision of Nari Shakti Vandan, celebrating women’s empowerment across all sectors of national service. The skies above Ekta Nagar will come alive with a mesmerizing air show by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, while a cultural extravaganza organized by the Ministry of Culture will feature over 900 artists performing India’s classical dances, folk traditions, and musical forms. These performances will celebrate India’s cultural continuum — from Bharatanatyam and Kathak to Manipuri and Odissi — capturing the essence of unity through diversity.
Tableaux, Gallantry Awards, and Bharat Parv: A Celebration of Unity and Valor
A key attraction of the day will be the parade of tableaux representing different states and union territories, along with specialized contingents from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). These will highlight the theme of “Unity in Diversity.” Tableaux from Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Manipur, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry will depict local traditions and contributions to national integration. Accompanying them will be brass bands from BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, Delhi Police, and other state police forces, creating a patriotic symphony echoing across Ekta Nagar. The government will honor five Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CRPF and sixteen gallantry medal winners from the BSF for their valor during anti-Naxal and counter-terror operations, including Operation Sindoor on the western frontier. These recognitions reaffirm India’s gratitude toward those who risk their lives to safeguard the nation. Their courage embodies the very spirit of Patel’s vision — a strong, secure, and united India. The celebrations will continue with “Bharat Parv”, a two-week-long festival from November 1 to 15, 2025, at Ekta Nagar. The event will showcase regional cuisines, traditional crafts, and cultural performances from across India. Visitors will experience the country’s diversity through folk music, food festivals, and exhibitions featuring artisans and weavers. The festival will culminate on November 15, coinciding with Birsa Munda Jayanti, honoring the tribal freedom fighter and celebrating the culture and resilience of India’s Adivasi communities. The convergence of these two events — Patel’s birth anniversary and Birsa Munda Jayanti — will symbolize inclusivity and collective strength.
National Observance and the Message of Unity
Beyond Ekta Nagar, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will be observed across schools, colleges, and government offices throughout the country. Millions of citizens will participate in “Run for Unity” events and take the National Unity Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to harmony and integrity. Public institutions, corporate houses, and civil society groups will organize exhibitions, discussions, and outreach programs highlighting Sardar Patel’s contributions to India’s unification. Educational institutions will hold essay competitions, debates, and workshops on Patel’s leadership, while NSS and NCC cadets will lead unity marches emphasizing youth involvement in nation-building. The Statue of Unity, standing tall at 182 meters, has become a global landmark and a living symbol of India’s resilience. The 2025 celebrations will include light and sound shows, 3D mapping projections, and interactive exhibits narrating Sardar Patel’s journey from a freedom fighter to the unifier of India. Visitors will witness how Patel persuaded princely states to join the Indian Union, preventing national fragmentation during its formative years. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures at Ekta Nagar and other key venues to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations. Coordination between the Gujarat Police, CAPFs, and intelligence agencies is being maintained to manage the large turnout of visitors and dignitaries. Civic bodies have also undertaken beautification drives, adorning the Statue of Unity complex with floral arrangements and decorative lighting. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 serves as a solemn reminder of India’s unity and collective strength. As the nation honors Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the grandeur at Ekta Nagar stands as a tribute to his vision of integrity and nationhood. The celebrations not only honor the man who unified India but also renew the citizens’ responsibility to preserve that unity in spirit and action. As the tricolor soars above the Statue of Unity, the country reaffirms its pledge to move forward together — diverse yet indivisible.
