Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel on his 145th birth Anniversary at the Statue of Unity- the world’s tallest statue at Kevadia in Narmada district of Gujarat today. The Prime Minister also witnessed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade. The Police forces of Gujarat and Central Armed Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force and National Security Guards took part in the Parade. The Prime Minister also administered the Ekta Pledge on this occasion.  Indian Air Force performed a Fly-past on this occasion. The Prime Minister also witnessed a Rifle drill by female officers of CRPF.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at his statue at Patel Chowk in New Delhi this morning. On the occasion, Home Minister Amit Shah administered Unity Pledge to people.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu today paid tributes to the Unifier of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 145th birth anniversary. In a Facebook post, Mr Naidu  called upon citizens to work together towards realizing the dream of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He recalled the contributions made by Sardar Patel and urged the citizens, particularly the younger generation to revisit his legacy and remember his unparalleled contribution to building a modern India. He praised Sardar Patel for his monumental achievement of unification of India. Mentioning the creation of All India Civil Services, the Vice President said that it was another illustrious contribution made by Sardar Patel. He said that Patel had envisioned these services as the Steel frame of India that would further safeguard the country’s unity and integrity.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will deliver this year’s Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture at 9.30 PM today.  It will be broadcast on the entire network of All India Radio. Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will preside over this year’s oration. Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, will also be present.

As a mark of respect to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, who was India’s first Information and Broadcasting Minister, All India Radio hosts the annual Sardar Patel Memorial lecture. A galaxy of eminent leaders, scientists and historians have adorned the podium in the past to deliver the lecture. The lecture series started in 1955 and the first lecture was delivered by C. Rajagopalachari. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Morarji Desai, Dr Zakir Hussain, Dr. Karan Singh, Vasant Sathe, Dr. K. Kasthuri Rangan, Prof. M.G.K. Menon, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, Justice Leila Seth, J. N. Dixit, Arun Jaitley, Ajit Doval have delivered the lecture in the past.

Paying his tributes to Sardar Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, today we need to reiterate the resolve that we will always dedicate ourselves to uphold the Unity,  Integrity and Security of the nation.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has greeted people on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. In a tweet, Mr Javadekar paid tribute to Sardar Patel and said the Iron Man sacrificed everything for the Unity and Integrity of the Nation. He urged people to visit the Statue of Unity this year.

In Puducherry, rich tributes were paid to the Iron Man of India, Sardar vallabhai Patel on his birth anniversary, today.