365telugu.com online news,Bihar,October 30, 2025: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, addressed a press conference in Patna today, highlighting celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025.
Shah praised Sardar Patel’s pivotal role in unifying India post-independence, integrating 562 princely states into a single nation despite global skepticism. He recounted key achievements, including the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928), where Patel earned the title “Sardar” from Mahatma Gandhi; the police action in Hyderabad; integration of Junagadh, Bhopal, Kathiawar, Travancore, and Jodhpur; and thwarting Pakistan’s corridor ambitions. On August 15, 1947, while India celebrated freedom, Patel ensured Lakshadweep’s integration, strengthening southern borders.
The Minister criticized past governments for neglecting Patel’s legacy, delaying his Bharat Ratna by 41 years and building no memorials. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Statue of Unity-a 182-meter marvel in Kevadia-was conceptualized in 2013 and completed in 57 months using iron from farmers’ tools (25,000 tonnes), 90,000 cubic meters of concrete, and 1,700 tonnes of bronze.
Attracting 15,000 daily visitors and over 2.5 crore total, it features 14 additional attractions like Valley of Flowers, Ekta Mall, and Jungle Safari, transforming the site into a global tourist hub.
Since 2014, PM Modi has attended annual events at the Statue of Unity. This year, for Patel’s 150th anniversary, a grand parade on October 31 will become an annual tradition, honoring CAPFs and state police forces as symbols of national unity.
Key Celebrations:
- Run for Unity: Expanded nationwide across states, UTs, districts, schools, and universities, followed by a Unity Pledge.
- Bharat Parv: From November 1–15 at Ekta Nagar, culminating on Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary with tribal cultural showcases, food, crafts, folk art, and music.
- Grand Parade on October 31: PM Modi will salute contingents from CAPFs and states, featuring women-led marches, Shaurya Chakra and gallantry medal winners, BSF camel band, Gujarat cavalry, Assam Police motorcycle stunts, Punjab and J&K Police, NSG/NDRF tableaux, and an IAF Surya Kiran air show. Over 900 artists will perform, embodying “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
Shah described Patel as an ideology of selfless nationalism, urging the parade to inspire youth and reinforce unity. He called for transforming farmers into entrepreneurs, though the focus remained on Patel’s enduring vision for a united India.