National Unity Day 2022: What makes the day so special for Indians?

Every year, October 31 is marked as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in India to observe Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. Sardar Patel was popularly called the Iron Man of India. He contributed immensely to India's freedom movement and political integration after the country gained independence from British rule in 1947.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel also played a prominent role in forming states and bringing them together under the Union of India after independence.

This year, India is celebrating Sardar Patel's 147th birth anniversary.


The Indian government declared Patel's birthday National Unity Day in 2014 when the Ministry of Home Affairs published a statement saying that the occasion re-affirms the resilience and inherent strength of the country that can survive all kinds of threats to its unity, integrity, and security.

In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the occasion by flagging off a programme called "Run for Unity" in New Delhi.

Moreover, the government of India built the world's tallest statue of Sardar Patel—the Statue of Unity—beside the Narmada River in Gujrat to honour the great leader.

FAQs on the same:

1. Why is October 31 celebrated as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day, in India?
   Every year on October 31, the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
2. What is the purpose of celebrating National Unity Day?
   The celebration of the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel makes everyone aware of the ideas of strength and diversity of religions, languages, cultures, and traditions of our nation.