On the occasion of 142nd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event, organized in New Delhi, today.Shri Radha Mohan Singh said Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was introduced and inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the year 2014. The idea is to pay tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel, who was instrumental in building India into a united nation by integrating 550 independent princely states. Therefore, we celebrate Ekta Diwas on 31st October every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Shri Singh said that apart from being a world leader, Sardar Patel was the father of India’s political integration. He led the merger of several small States into the Indian Union. The several States under his guidance and persuasion came together to form a bigger entity and then merged into the Indian Union. Regionalism gave way to nationalism, as he asked people to think big and be strong.It is the result of the efforts made by Sardar Patel for the integration of India soon after independence that today every part of the country is celebrating.
Agriculture Minister said that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country. This year, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is being celebrated in a bigger way. The day is marked by oath-taking ceremonies to uphold the nation’s unity, Run for Unity, Poster and Quiz competitions and exhibitions to highlight Sardar Patel’s role at the critical juncture in Indian history.Shri Singh too administered oath-taking ceremony to maintain the unity, integrity, and security of the nation at a function organized in Krishi Bhawan.Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that the occasion is pious, as the nation not only shows its gratitude to a formidable personality of Indian freedom struggle but also educates and informs the new generation about him.Shri Singh said that last year, at the Run for Unity event, the Prime Minister had said, “One can see the tricolor from Kashmir to Kanyakumari; from the Himalayas to the ocean. We see the tricolor across the length and breadth of the nation, and the credit for this goes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.” Agriculture Minister said, on this occasion, let us make a pledge to once again dedicate ourselves to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation and make collective efforts to make our country stronger and vibrant.