Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birth Anniversary: National Unity Day 2023

Every year 31st October is celebrated as National Unity Day in India. This is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid respect to the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's former Deputy Prime Minister on the occasion of his birth anniversary.  The year 2023 marks the 148th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Iron Man of India, who was instrumental in preserving the integrity of India after independence.

The birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is now celebrated as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi administered his oath to the nation on the celebration of National Unity Day. He also paid tribute to Sardar Patel by visiting the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya. The Prime Minister of India also honoured the success of Chandrayaan-3 mission during National Unity Day celebration in Gujarat.

National Unity Day- History

• In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31st October would be marked as National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
• The goal of the day is to promote national unity and raise awareness about the contribution of Vallabhbhai Patel.
• On this day, citizens also observe National Pledge Day, or Rashtriya Sankalp Diwas.

Celebrations of National Unity Day

On National Unity Day, people across India resolve to defend the integrity and unity of the country. They also take part in a variety of events and activities aimed at promoting national unity and harmony. Common activities on National Unity Day include:

• Cultural events: To promote national unity and harmony, many cultural events are held.
• Educational programs: Educational programmes are held to raise awareness about the importance of national unity and the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Run for Unity: To encourage national unity and raise awareness of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's efforts, a nationwide marathon is held.
• Pledge-taking ceremony: People all around India pledge to protect the integrity and unity of the country.

About Sardar Patel

• Sardar Patel, who was born in Gujarat in 1875, became a key Congress leader and colleague of Mahatma Gandhi during the independence struggle.
• Vallabhbhai Patel is famously known as Sardar (Chief) for his ability to lead the country through the freedom struggle.
• He was the 49th President of the Indian National Congress, where he organized the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 while promoting the Quit India Movement.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister from 1947 until 1950. 
• He also played an important role in the Integration of the princely states during the India-Pakistan War 1947. 
• He integrated over 560 princely states into the Indian Union, which was a significant milestone in India's unity.
• Sardar Patel was a practising lawyer who made substantial contributions to Indian law. 
• Sardar Patel gained the title of Iron Man of India for his dedication to the national integration of the newly independent country.

Statue Of Unity

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity on October 31, 2018, the 143rd Anniversary of Patel’s birth.
• The Statue of Unity was constructed as the world's tallest Statue with a height of 182 meters in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 
• It is situated close to Kevadiya in Gujarat on the island of Sadhu Bet in the Narmada River. 
• One of the most famous sculptors in India, Ram Vanji Sutar, is the sculptor of the Statue of Unity. 

Chandrayaan-3 Mission

• Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar mission and the country's second attempt at a soft landing on the moon's surface.
• Its objective is to create and test new technology for interplanetary missions.
• The LVM3 rocket system was used to launch the Chandrayaan 3 Mission. 
• LVM3 is ISRO's new launch vehicle capable of putting modules into GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) at a low cost. 
• It is made up of an Indigenous Lander Module (LM), a Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover.