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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday administered the oath of unity to participants of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on the 150th birth anniversary of the country's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. PM Modi arrived at Patel's 182-metre-tall statue, near Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, in the morning and paid his respects to the Iron Man of India by offering flower petals. He then left for a nearby venue where he administered the Ekta Diwas pledge to the gathering and witnessed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade. Through this pledge, participants reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. The pledge also emphasised the importance of spreading this message among fellow countrymen. This year's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations included a cultural festival and the National Unity Day parade by police and paramilitary forces. One of the major attractions of this year's celebration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on the 150th birth anniversary of India's first home minister. The birth anniversary of Patel is being celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on October 31 since 2014, when Modi became the prime minister for the first time. Modi arrived at Patel's 182-metre-tall statue, near Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district in the morning and paid his respects to the Iron Man of India by offering flower petals. He then left for a nearby venue where he is scheduled to administer the Ekta Diwas pledge to the gathering and witness Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade. This year's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations will include a cultural festival and the National Unity Day parade by police and paramilitary forces. The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade, a major attraction of the celebrations, features contingents from paramilitary forces like the BSF and CRPF, and various
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Friday that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who fulfilled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's dream of a unified India by abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Flagging off the 'Run for Unity' on the 150th birth anniversary of the country's first Home Minister, Sardar Patel, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here, Shah said after India's independence, the British decided to leave the country divided into 562 princely states. "At that time, the entire world thought that it would be impossible to unite these 562 princely states into one nation. However, within a short span of time, Sardar Patel accomplished the monumental task of integrating all 562 princely states and the map of modern India that we see today is the result of his vision and efforts," he said. The Home Minister said some provinces were reluctant to integrate but Sardar Patel addressed every issue with determination. Because of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was not fully
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said 'Bharat Parv 2025' will be celebrated from November 1-15 to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary. Addressing a press conference here, he also announced that a grand parade would be held from now every October 31 at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat to mark Sadar Patel's birth anniversary. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the first parade on Friday from 7.55 am. "Along with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel formed the backbone of India's freedom struggle. His contribution in building the foundation of the nation is immense. Yet, Congress left no stone unturned to try to make the nation forget Sardar Patel and didn't construct any statue or memorial in his name," he claimed. On the other hand, the NDA constructed the 'Statue of Unity', which is an engineering marvel, he added.
The Congress, AAP and Patidar leaders in Gujarat have criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray over his comments about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. They have also demanded a ban on Thackeray's entry to Gujarat and an FIR against him. Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Thane district on Friday, the MNS chief said when migrants from Bihar were "beaten up and driven away" in Gujarat, it did not become an issue, but a minor incident in Maharashtra became a national issue. He also referred to Morarji Desai and Sardar Patel's alleged anti-Marathi stand after independence. Over the past few weeks, MNS workers have been aggressively demanding that those living in Maharashtra learn Marathi. They have also assaulted a few shopkeepers for failing to respond in Marathi. Gujarat Congress' newly appointed president Amit Chavda on Sunday said making a statement against Sardar Saheb was akin to throwing dust in front of the sun. If you
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary. In a post in Hindi on X, Adityanath said Sardar Patel's efforts to unite the country are the inspiration behind working towards building Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. "Humble tributes to the architect of modern India, farmer well-wisher, Iron Man 'Bharat Ratna' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji on his death anniversary! "His contributions in giving a form to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation will always inspire us to work towards building 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'," the chief minister said. Sardar Patel, who was India's first deputy prime minister and home minister, breathed his last on 15 December 1950. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat in 1875, Patel was a pivotal figure in India's struggle for independence. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration, he is fondly remembered as the "Iron Man of India." The
The Congress on Thursday paid its tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and alleged continuous efforts are being made to "misappropriate" his legacy by those whose "ideological gurus" opposed the Quit India Movement and criticised the Constitution. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Respectful tributes to the Iron Man of India, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country, former Congress President and our idol, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, who made an independent India a complete country, on his birth anniversary." "Sardar Patel's personality and thoughts will always inspire the coming generations to serve the nation," he said on X. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi remembered Patel as the leader who tied the country together in a thread of unity and integrity. "His footprints that united India and established love and brotherhood in the country always guide us," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on ..
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted civil servants on Civil Services Day, and expressed confidence that they will continue to serve fellow citizens with the spirit of "nation first". April 21 is celebrated as Civil Services Day and is an occasion for bureaucrats to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work. "Greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day! You have carried forward the great legacy of working for the progress of the country with indefatigable spirit. Our civil services always face the challenge to adapt quickly to the dynamic environment, while upholding the three fundamental values Sardar Patel underlined in his speech on this day in 1947 dignity, integrity and incorruptibility," she said. "I am confident you will continue to serve the fellow citizens with the spirit of Nation First. My best wishes to you in this endeavour," Murmu said in a post on X. The day commemorates the ..
Police have so far arrested 19 persons in connection with a clash over a statue in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district, and the situation is peaceful in the area amid heavy presence of cops, an official said on Saturday. Members of two communities had clashed and pelted stones at each other after a statue of former deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was pulled down by unidentified persons in Makdone tehsil on Thursday morning. A total of 19 persons have been arrested so far in connection with the clash, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Rural) Nitesh Bhargava. They have been booked for rioting and using criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duty. He said markets are open in Makdone, and the situation is normal in the town. There is peace between both groups, but the police are keeping an eye on the situation, he said, and added that the status quo remains intact at the disputed site. No injuries were reported in Thursday's clash. Howev
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday paid his tributes to India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary and hailed him as the "architect" of the new India. On the second day of his visit to Varanasi, Adityanath offered floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Maldahiya. The Chief Minister said that the 'Iron Man' -- what Patel came to be known as -- was a great freedom fighter and recalled his role in bringing together and merging more than 563 princely states with India after the Independence. "The India we see today is the India of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's dreams. Therefore, the entire nation pays tributes to Iron Man, the architect of India's integrity," Adityanath said. He said Patel's statue in Gujarat has become a symbol of unity. "Keeping in mind the values and ideals of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the MP from Kashi, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) inaugurated the world's largest statue on the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said politics of appeasement is the biggest obstacle in the country's journey of development, and cautioned against "a very large political class" which cannot see a way of doing positive politics and can even compromise with the country's unity for their selfish goals. In the last nine years, India's internal security has been getting challenges from multiple fronts, but because of the hard work of security forces, the enemies of the country are not being able to succeed like they did in the past, Modi said. He was addressing a gathering at the Statue of Unity at Kevadia in Gujarat's Narmada district after paying floral tribute to Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary, which is celebrated as National Unity Day. For India, the next 25 years of this century is the most important period, Modi said, adding that "we have to make our country prosperous and developed" and achieve the goal while drawing inspiration from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. "The .