National Unity Day 2022

Context:

On National Unity Day 2022, the Union Home Minister of India remembered Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 147th birth anniversary saying that the latter realised the dream of a strong and united India with his farsightedness.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About National Unity Day
2. About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

About National Unity Day

• Every year on October 31st, National Unity Day is observed to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birthday. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is an alternative name for it.
• The purpose of this day’s commemoration is to spread the message that society may be improved by sticking together.
• In 2014, it was commemorated for the first time.
• On this day, a number of activities are planned, including the nationwide marathon “Run for Unity,” which raises awareness of Sardar Patel’s contribution to national integrity and the National Unity Pledge, among other things.
• In 2018, to commemorate Sardar Patel’s 143rd birthday, the Indian government inaugurated the “Statue of Unity” in Gujarat.

Statue of Unity

• The Statue of Unity which is built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is dedicated to the nation.
• The Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
• It is located on the Sadhu Bet island on the Narmada river, which flows between the Satpura and the Vindhya mountain ranges.

About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was an Indian politician.
• He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India.
• He played an important role in the integration of many Indian princely states to make an Indian federation.
• He took charge of the task to forge a united India from over 560 semi-autonomous princely states and British-era colonial provinces.
• Using frank diplomacy backed with the option (and the use) of military action, Patel’s leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state.
• Hence, he is recognized as the real unifier of India.
• He is also remembered as the ‘Patron saint of India’s civil servants’ as he established the modern all-India services system. He is also hailed as the Iron Man of India.
• Patel was in charge of the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas, in the Constituent Assembly of India.
• Since 2014, every year on 31 October ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or the National Unity Day is observed to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – an Indian politician who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and then during the integration of the country.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991.

-Source: Indian Express, PIB