Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is being observed today to mark the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The theme this year is Integration of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to the ‘Unifier of India’ at the statue of Sardar Patel in Patel Chowk this morning. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel along with the Prime Minister.

During the day, Prime Minister Modi will flag off Run for Unity and will administer Unity Pledge. He will release a commemorative stamp and will dedicate a digital exhibition on Sardar Patel. Various activities are being organized across the country to mark the occasion.

All India Radio and Doordarshan will mount special programmes on the life and works of Sardar Patel using archival material. All the Government Offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other Public Institutions will arrange a pledge taking ceremony to observe the day.

Government had last year decided to observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as Ekta Diwas. This occasion provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to withstand the threats to its unity, integrity and security.

To commemorate the impeccable contribution of Sardar Patel in building Indian State, various programmes are being organised in his home State Gujarat where his work started and flourished.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will pay floral tributes to Sardar’s statue at Sawrnim Park in Gandhinagar and will administer the oath of Unity to the people. Sardar Patel Trust will also celebrate the 141th birth anniversary of Sardar patel at Karmsad in Anand where Sardar Patel had stayed for a long.

Various programmes will also be organised at different places related to the life of Patel in districts such as Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Kheda, Surat and Navsari.