In a grand tribute to India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Government of India will mark his 150th birth anniversary on October 31, 2025, with an unprecedented Republic Day-style parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. The celebrations will feature contingents from all central paramilitary forces, multiple state police units, cultural tableaux, and special displays honouring India’s unity and strength — a fitting homage to the man who unified the nation after Independence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the celebrations and receive the ceremonial salute. The event, known as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade, has been observed annually for the past eleven years. However, this year’s celebration is being organized on an unparalleled scale, coinciding with Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, symbolizing his lasting legacy as India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the event aims to underscore the spirit of national unity, harmony, and patriotism — values that Patel personified throughout his political career. The ministry noted, “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s leadership was crucial in the integration of 562 princely states into the Indian Union, laying the foundation for a strong and unified modern India.”
A Parade of Unity and Strength
The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade will include contingents from India’s leading security and police forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Police contingents from Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh will also participate, alongside units from the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
Adding grandeur to the occasion, the parade will showcase cavalry and camel-mounted contingents, a nod to India’s historical military traditions. There will also be demonstrations of indigenous dog breeds, including the Rampur Hounds and Mudhol Hounds, representing India’s native strength and versatility. Spectators will also witness breathtaking martial arts and unarmed combat drills, displaying the discipline and readiness of India’s forces.
To cap off the event, an air show by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team will light up the skies above the Statue of Unity, offering a visual spectacle that symbolizes the unity and strength of the nation.
Gallantry Honoured and Women Leading the Way
A special highlight of the ceremony will be Prime Minister Modi receiving the salute from 16 BSF personnel who were awarded gallantry medals for their bravery in Operation Sindoor, India’s swift and strategic response to the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. The operation, conducted from May 7 to 10, was hailed for its precision and courage.
The parade commander for this landmark event is Simran Bhardwaj, a 2022-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Gujarat cadre, representing a new generation of women in leadership within India’s law enforcement community. In a strong display of gender representation, contingents from the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and several state police forces will also be led by women officers.
Speaking ahead of the parade, Bhardwaj said, “It is an honour and a great opportunity to participate in the parade on such a historic occasion.”
Officers from various states also expressed their pride in representing their respective forces. Nadiya Farooq, an officer from the Kashmir Police Service, said, “This is the first time I will be participating in a parade outside Jammu and Kashmir, and that too before the Prime Minister. It’s a moment of immense pride.”
Similarly, Garima Dadar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) leading the Chhattisgarh Police contingent, shared her excitement, saying, “I was selected through a rigorous process among many young officers. I am proud to lead my state’s contingent at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade.”
Preparations and Rehearsals
A full-dress rehearsal was held on Wednesday near the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, where all participating contingents went through their final drills under the supervision of senior officials. The rehearsal was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, who reviewed the readiness of the parade and the coordination among the various forces.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address the media in Patna on Thursday, where he is expected to elaborate on the scope of the nationwide celebrations and their significance in reinforcing Sardar Patel’s ideals of unity and integrity.
Ekta Nagar: A Symbolic Venue
The choice of Ekta Nagar—home to the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue dedicated to Sardar Patel—adds symbolic weight to the event. Since its inauguration in 2018 by Prime Minister Modi, Ekta Nagar has evolved into a national site of pilgrimage for those inspired by Patel’s vision of a united India.
For this year’s milestone celebration, the government has also planned an extended programme titled “Bharat Parv”, which will run from November 1 to 15, 2025. The festival will feature cultural performances, food festivals, and exhibitions from various states, showcasing India’s diversity and cultural richness.
According to the MHA, these celebrations are intended not only to honour Patel’s legacy but also to inspire citizens to uphold the ideals of unity, fraternity, and national service that he embodied. “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas aims at highlighting the spirit of national unity, harmony, and patriotism, inspiring citizens to embrace these values. All citizens are encouraged to actively participate and be part of this grand and auspicious celebration,” the ministry said in an official statement.
Remembering the Architect of India’s Unity
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and the integration of princely states post-Independence. As the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he was instrumental in consolidating India into a single political entity — a task that earned him the enduring title of the “Iron Man of India.”
Patel’s pragmatic leadership, firm diplomacy, and unyielding commitment to national integration remain foundational to India’s political and administrative structure. His efforts ensured that the dream of a united India was realized despite enormous challenges posed by regional rulers and external pressures.
In commemoration of his monumental contributions, the Modi government designated October 31 as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) in 2014. Each year since then, the day has been marked by nationwide runs for unity, pledge-taking ceremonies, and special events in schools and government institutions.
However, the 2025 celebration, marking 150 years since his birth, stands out as a historic moment — not only to remember Patel’s legacy but also to reaffirm the principles of unity and nation-building that continue to guide India today.
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