Opinion | Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)

Commitment to preserve Unity, Diversity and integrity of our Nation with dreams of Patel to have a united India alive and kicking in each of its citizens.

India is culturally so diverse with hundreds of languages, cultures and religions spread all over the country and its territory. This diversity is beneficial and disadvantageous in the same way and it becomes paramount that India must stay united in an attempt to ensure that the entire country goes forward. In order to preserve this idea of national unity, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is celebrated in India. Observed nationwide on October 31st every year, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is dedicated to honour the birth centenary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, noted freedom fighter and first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. By offering his important role in territorial integration, Patel helped over 560 princely states to join the united state after India’s gaining independence, thus making him a real face of Indian unity and integrity which is why he was nicknamed the “Iron Man of India”.

Acharya Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875 at Nadiad of Gujarat. He envisaged the future of a united India that would form the basis of the stability and integrity of modern Day India. Patel, however, worked tirelessly for the unification of India after the British left, and truly symbolised the maker of modern India. They credited him for having the wisdom and statesmanship to have been referred to as the Bismarck of India. To those you exactly established diplomatic negotiations and, if need be, forceful measures to make the leaders of several hundred petty states to join for the very sake of preventing India from splitting. Patel was very optimistic for the unity of India as he used to say that India would remain weak and would not be able to stand on its feet if it remains divided. He was able to envision that very little control would be held over the so called ‘autonomous regions and princely states’ which potentially was volatile to bring displeasure or in extreme cases, secede from the newly formed country. Thanks to him, India united and became strong despite religious, linguistic and cultural differences inside the country.

In honour of the incomparable role of Sardar Patel in creation of a united India, the Government of India had decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in the year 2014. The day helps to recall Patel and his vision, contribution to the society in India. By constantly making attempts in the direction, Patel also depicted principles of patriotism, unity and selflessness which are principles of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

Some of the programs and activities that are carried out to commemorate this day are those programs that are intended to encourage national integration. People across the country engage in activities like the “Run for Unity”, debates and seminars and cultural programs marking the day and aimed supporting unity and integration amongst the public. Networks in schools, colleges and workplaces foster programs that force the person to think about Patel’s ideas and the conservation of the integrity of a nation. To be specific, this day also acts as the platform to refurbish the faith and unity of all the Indian citizens in respect with which the framework of India is being built. The importance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas does not lie just about celebrating Sardar Patel but also a lot of other reasons. It symbolises the ever present imperative for integration in a society which is growing rapidly in ethnic complexity in contemporary India. Challenges in the information technology system of India In the recent years after the onset of globalisation and advanced technological system, India has several challenges at home as well as abroad. Internal social, economical and political situations remain a challenge to the integrity of India unity. Therefore Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, act as a reminder that national integration is not something that happened once where India became unified, but its on-going process. In other words, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is a chance to unite around a unifying ideal and forget about the internal divisions of Indian society. Most of the time, it makes us understand how an individual or a group should be protected in exercising his/her/its rights, freedom, custom, and tradition. In order to bring out the fact that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas should be celebrated not just for the year it has been started, but for the years to follow and encourage future generations to actually work towards bringing a unity which can actually make our India a more stronger, organised and a better united country for the face of any divisions that may crop up in future.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is famous for so many memories and SOU in Kevadia of Gujarat is one of them. This monumental statue was revealed in November 2018, and is 182 meters tall that makes it the tallest statue on the planet. The outside structure not only offers respect to Patel and also symbolises India’s unity. People from all over the world come to pay their respects to the statue of unity which still holds a mark in Patel’s presence in India. In today’s India, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is of even more importance because it becomes a platform to spread the feeling of unity and brotherhood among the people belonging from different cultures. India is a young country and boasts a large and lively democracy. The Government of India celebrates this day every year by showcasing events to recall the recurring events and to publicise to the masses the need to stand united in order to face the assistant challenges which come in the way of a nation.

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