India comes together to remember one of its greatest architects of nationhood. This time, the day carried extra weight as the country marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In the heart of the national capital, Union Home Minister Amit Shah kicked off the Run for Unity, a fitting tribute to the man who stitched together a fractured land into one strong republic.
A Morning of Pride and Pledge in Delhi
The event saw a large gathering of runners, officials, and citizens ready to honour the Iron Man of India. Amit Shah not only started the run but also led everyone in taking the National Unity Pledge. Several senior leaders joined the occasion, including Union Ministers Manohar Lal and Mansukh Mandaviya, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar.
Speaking to the crowd, Shah reminded everyone how the tradition of the Run for Unity began in 2014. He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted this milestone year to be celebrated with special energy across the nation. From small towns to big cities, people stepped out to run, reflect, and renew their commitment to a united India.
From Barrister to Bharat Ratna: The Making of Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel left a successful law practice in England to answer Mahatma Gandhi’s call for freedom. His true leadership shone during the 1928 Bardoli Satyagraha. Farmers in Gujarat faced heavy tax hikes from the British. Under Patel’s guidance, they launched a peaceful protest that started locally but soon inspired farmers nationwide. The movement forced the colonial rulers to roll back the unfair taxes. Impressed by his command, Gandhi gave him the title “Sardar,” and the name stuck forever.
After independence, the bigger challenge awaited. The British left behind 562 princely states, each free to choose its future. Many feared the country would splinter. Yet, in less than two years, Sardar Patel convinced, persuaded, and sometimes firmly negotiated with every ruler. Places like Junagadh, Hyderabad, Travancore, and Jodhpur had their own plans to stay separate. Patel’s resolve brought them all into the Indian fold, giving the nation its current shape.
The One Piece That Remained Missing
Despite his monumental work, one region stayed only partly integrated because of Article 370. For decades, Jammu and Kashmir followed a different set of rules. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi changed that. By scrapping the article, he finished the task Sardar Patel could not complete in his lifetime. Today, every corner of the country operates under one Constitution, fulfilling the dream of a truly seamless union.
Lakshadweep: A Quiet Victory on Independence Day
While the nation celebrated the first Independence Day, Patel kept watch over strategic interests. He learned that control over Lakshadweep was still uncertain. Without delay, he ordered the Indian Navy to sail there. The Tricolour went up, and the islands became an inseparable part of India. Such swift decisions showed his foresight in matters of security and territory.
Honouring the Iron Man After Decades
For years, Patel’s contributions did not receive the recognition they deserved. It took 41 years after his death for the government to award him the Bharat Ratna. No grand memorial existed to tell his story to new generations. That changed when Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, decided to build something unforgettable.
In Kevadia, near the Narmada River, work began on the Statue of Unity. The foundation stone was laid on 31 October 2013. In just 57 months, a 182-metre tall statue rose, the tallest in the world. Farmers across India donated old iron tools, and 25,000 tonnes of that metal went into the structure. Along with 90,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,700 tonnes of bronze, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of togetherness. Over 2.5 crore visitors have already walked its grounds, learning about the man who made India whole.
A New Annual Tradition Takes Root
This year, a grand Unity Parade was held in Kevadia, attended by police forces from every state and central units. Paying homage to Sardar Patel, thousands marched in perfect formation. The Ministry of Home Affairs has now decided to make this parade an annual event, matching the scale seen during the 150th birth anniversary celebrations.
Across the country, from the snowy peaks of Kashmir to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, and from the western shores of Dwarka to the temples of Kamakhya in the east, special programmes reached schools, colleges, and neighbourhoods. Youngsters took the unity pledge with enthusiasm, promising to protect the nation’s integrity. They are the ones who will carry forward Patel’s legacy into the next century.
Why Unity Still Matters Today
India remains a land of endless diversity in language, culture, and tradition. Keeping this vast nation together requires constant effort. Sardar Patel showed that strong will, clear vision, and respect for every community can achieve the impossible. The path he laid down for internal security and national cohesion is the same route the country follows under present leadership.
Events like the Run for Unity are more than symbolic. They remind every citizen that freedom came with a responsibility to stay united. When millions jog together, chant the pledge, or simply pause to remember Patel, they strengthen the invisible threads that bind the nation.
As the sun set on another Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the message was clear: the India we enjoy today stands on the foundation laid by the Iron Man. Protecting it is a duty we all share, generation after generation.