{"id":10667,"date":"2025-11-01T15:18:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=10667"},"modified":"2025-11-01T15:18:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:48:10","slug":"rashtriya-ekta-diwas-a-pillar-of-national-cohesion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=10667","title":{"rendered":"Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: A Pillar of National Cohesion"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"font-weight: 500; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: A Pillar of National Cohesion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Posted On: 30 OCT 2025 11:59AM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed every year on October 31, honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel&#8217;s legacy in unifying India, promoting unity in diversity amid ongoing national challenges.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The year 2025 marks Sardar Patel&#8217;s\u00a0150th birth anniversary.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Prime Minister Modi to participate in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Annual programs like the\u00a0Run for Unity\u00a0and\u00a0Unity March\u00a0engage citizens, especially youth, in fostering patriotism and social harmony.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Pateland to honor his pivotal role in fostering national and political integration and unity in India. The day underscores the importance of maintaining the sovereignty, peace and integrity of the nation, encouraging citizens to pledge their commitment to unity in diversity.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The day was first celebrated in 2014, following a declaration by the Government of India to honour and celebrate Sardar Patel\u2019s remarkable contribution to nation-building. Following this, during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October, 2015 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the initiative \u2018Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat\u2019 for sustained and structured connect between people of different regions of the country for an enhanced understanding and bonding between them.\u00a0 More than ten Central ministries, state governments, schools, colleges and youth organisations have since been celebrating through various activities to promote such bonding between people from different parts of the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>This year\u2019s celebration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is particularly special as it marks the\u00a0150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Foundational Legacy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>India&#8217;s first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in the national integration process following independence in 1947. Hewas tasked with unifying over 560 princely states\u2014covering nearly 40% of India&#8217;s territory and population\u2014into the Union of India. Under the Indian Independence Act, rulers of the Princely States were given the option to decide whether they wanted to accede to India or Pakistan or neither. Sardar Patel employed a combination of diplomatic negotiations, persuasion, and, where necessary, firm administrative measures to prevent balkanisation.\u00a0Through the States Department he led, Sardar Patel successfully integrated these states by August 15, 1947, or shortly thereafter, ensuring the territorial integrity of modern India. His efforts averted potential fragmentation and laid the foundation for a united democratic republic. It was the decisive leadership of this \u201cIron Man&#8217; that ensured internal stability as the country went through its tumultuous partition period. He also created the All-India Services as the \u201cSteel Frame\u201d that would continue to protect the country\u2019s unity and integrity.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Carrying Forward Sardar Patel\u2019s Legacy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The \u201cEk Bharat Shreshtha Bharat\u201d (EBSB) initiative,\u00a0announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2015 during Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel\u2019s 140th birth anniversary, embodies Sardar Patel\u2019s vision of a united India. It promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding among States and Union Territories, celebrating India\u2019s diversity through interaction and reciprocity.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Its core objectives are to:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Strengthen emotional bonds among citizens,<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Foster national integration through structured inter-state engagements,<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Showcase and appreciate India\u2019s diverse cultures,<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Build lasting partnerships, and<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Encourage mutual learning and sharing of best practices across regions.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>EBSB\u00a0promotes the idea of\u00a0<em>\u201cunity in diversity\u201d<\/em>\u00a0by pairing different States and Union Territories to strengthen emotional bonds through linguistic, cultural, and educational exchanges. These activities extend the message of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas beyond a single day, transforming it into a sustained movement for national integration.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>EBSB Events and Initiatives Inspired by Ekta Diwas:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Bhasha Sangam App \u2013 for learning 100+ sentences of everyday use in 22 official Indian languages.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Cultural Showcases and Food Festivals.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Student Exchange Programmes -\u201c<em>Yuva Sangam<\/em>\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0<em>EBSB Clubs<\/em>\u00a0in schools and universities facilitate youth interaction between paired States, fostering mutual understanding.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Kashi Tamil Sangamam\u00a0&#8211; celebrates the cultural and spiritual bond between\u00a0Kashi and Tamil Nadu, promoting unity through exchange of art, language, and traditions.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Digital and Outreach Campaigns \u2013 Initiatives like<em>\u00a0My Bharat Digital Portal<\/em>\u00a0and<em>\u00a0EBSB Quiz Competitions\u00a0<\/em>engage citizens online to promote unity, patriotism, and knowledge of India\u2019s cultural diversity.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The\u00a0<a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/ekbharat.gov.in\/\">EBSB Portal<\/a>\u00a0serves as a digital extension of the vision behind\u00a0Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, providing a platform to document and promote initiatives that strengthen national integration. It hosts reports of inter-state cultural exchanges, youth activities, and campaigns conducted by various ministries under the\u00a0<em>Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat<\/em>\u00a0banner\u2014an initiative launched on\u00a0<em>Ekta Diwas<\/em>\u00a0itself. With millions of participants and visitors, the portal keeps the spirit of unity alive year-round through its digital repository, showcasing programs like\u00a0<em>Dekho Apna Desh<\/em>\u00a0(Tourism) and indigenous sports features (Sports), and through the\u00a0EBSB Wall, which highlights monthly activities reflecting India\u2019s diversity and collective identity.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Importance in 2025: Marking the 150th Birth Anniversary<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The occasion has been envisioned as a year-long, nationwide commemoration. This milestone highlights Sardar Patel\u2019s enduring relevance in contemporary India, especially amid global challenges to unity and social cohesion.The spirit of\u00a0<em>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas<\/em>\u00a0is also deeply aligned with the principles of\u00a0<em>Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)<\/em>, which seeks to strengthen emotional bonds among citizens through cultural exchange, linguistic appreciation, and mutual understanding between paired States and Union Territories. Together, these initiatives reinforce the concept of unity in diversity, thus transforming national integration from a ceremonial observance into an ongoing people\u2019s movement.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>On 31st October, at around 8 AM, Prime Minister will offer floral tribute at the Statue of Unity, which will be followed by Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.\u00a0The events and programs scheduled for Sardar Patel\u2019s 150<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0birth anniversary is as follows:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Section<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Details<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Date of main event<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>31 October (annually) \u2014 the observance of National Unity Day.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Venue for main parade \/ celebration (this year)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>&#8211; Ekta Nagar (formerly Unity Town) in Narmada District, Gujarat.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>-Air show by the Indian Air Force\u2019s Surya Kiran team.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Parade \u2013 Participating units<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>&#8211; 16 marching contingents from 9 States + 1 UT Police.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0&#8211; 4 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0&#8211; NCC cadets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0&#8211; Special segments: e.g., BSF dog squad, Assam Police motorcycle display, BSF camel contingent &amp; band.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Women officers\u2019 role \/ special highlight<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Guard of Honor presented to the Prime Minister will be led by a female officer.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Cultural programme &amp; \u201cfloats\u201d (\u091d\u093e\u0902\u0915\u093f\u092f\u093e\u0901)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>&#8211; Floats representing different States\/UTs under theme \u201c\u0935\u093f\u0935\u093f\u0927\u0924\u093e\u092e\u0947\u0902\u090f\u0915\u0924\u093e\u201d (Unity in Diversity).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0&#8211; A large cultural programme by the Ministry of Culture with approx. 900 artists, showcasing Indian classical and folk forms.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Extended festival \/ \u201cIndia Parv\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>From November 1 to 15, 2025, Ekta Nagar will host the Bharat Parv, featuring cultural performances and a food festival from different states. The festival will culminate on November 15 with special programs celebrating God Birsa Munda Jayanti, highlighting the glorious culture and resilient spirit of our tribal communities.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Other logistic highlights<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>&#8211; \u201cRun for Unity\u201d marathon in Delhi (from Rajghat to Red Fort) featuring participation from Persons with Disabilities, students, CAPF etc.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0&#8211; Infrastructure projects worth ~Rs. 280 crore to be inaugurated\/laid foundation in Ekta Nagar during the event week.<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Unique marching contingent of Indian breed dogs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade in 2025 will feature a unique marching contingent of Indian breed dogs, specifically Rampur Hounds and Mudhol Hounds, from the Border Security Force (BSF), showcasing their role as force multipliers in operations. These indigenous breeds, embodying the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, will demonstrate their exceptional skills, with the Mudhol Hound &#8220;Riya&#8221; leading the squad after securing first place in the All India Police Dog Competition. Their participation in the parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, highlights their contribution to national security and underscores the theme of unity in diversity by celebrating India&#8217;s native canine heritage.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Saradar@150 Unity March<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the My Bharat platform, has organised a nationwide Unity March (Yatra) to foster unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among the youth, aligning with the principles of \u2018Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat\u2019. Launched on October 6, 2025, by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on the My Bharat portal, the initiative includes competitions such as a Social Media Reels contest, an essay competition, and the Sardar@150 Young Leaders program, with 150 winners participating in the National Padyatra.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\">\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>The Unity March will unfold in\u00a0two phases. The\u00a0first phase, taking place from\u00a0October 31- November 25, 2025, will feature\u00a0district-level foot marches\u00a0across all districts within every Parliamentary constituency. These marches will be preceded by a series of awareness activities, including essay and debate competitions, seminars on Sardar Patel\u2019s life and contributions, and street plays in schools and colleges. Alongside the padyatra, a range of developmental initiatives will be undertaken across districts \u2014 such as cleanliness drives at water bodies, tree plantation drives under the\u00a0\u201cSardar Upvan\u201d\u00a0initiative, women\u2019s welfare camps, yoga and health camps, and\u00a0\u201cVocal for Local\u201d\u00a0promotional campaigns.The\u00a0National March, from November 26 to December 6, 2025, will cover 152 kilometers from Karamsad (Sardar Patel&#8217;s birthplace in Gujarat) to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, incorporating community development activities in villages along the route with participation from NSS students, NCC cadets, My Bharat volunteers, and young leaders. An exhibition showcasing India&#8217;s diverse culture and Sardar Patel&#8217;s life will also be organised.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Run for Unity<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Government-directed campaigns for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas prominently feature the &#8220;Run for Unity,&#8221; a nationwide marathon event symbolising collective strides toward national cohesion. In 2025, the Run for Unity is\u00a0scheduled for October 31, ahead of the main observance, with participation expected from thousands across major cities, including flag-off events in New Delhi led by Union Ministers.\u00a0Honourable Prime Minister Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called upon citizens across the nation to participate in the Run for Unity event, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas stands as a timeless reminder of Sardar Patel&#8217;s visionary leadership in forging a united India from diverse princely states, a foundation that continues to underpin the nation&#8217;s progress. By blending historical reverence with contemporary engagement through oaths, marches, and cultural events\u2014the observance not only commemorates past triumphs but actively counters modern divisive forces, reinforcing the ethos of &#8220;Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.&#8221; While\u00a0<em>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas<\/em>\u00a0marks a symbolic day of national integration,\u00a0<em>Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat<\/em>\u00a0extends that mission throughout the year through structured activities like\u00a0<em>Rashtriya Bhasha Samarohs<\/em>,\u00a0<em>Cultural Showcases<\/em>, and\u00a0<em>Youth Parivartan Programmes<\/em>. These sustained initiatives help ensure that the spirit of unity in diversity continues to resonate well beyond the annual observance.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: A Pillar of National Cohesion Posted On: 30 OCT 2025 11:59AM by PIB Delhi Key Takeaways Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed every year on October 31, honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel&#8217;s legacy in unifying India, promoting unity in diversity amid ongoing national challenges. The year 2025 marks Sardar Patel&#8217;s\u00a0150th birth anniversary. Prime Minister Modi &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10667"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10669,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667\/revisions\/10669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}