Every year on October 31, people across India come together to remember the efforts that built a strong, united nation. This day pays tribute to the man who played a key role in bringing together various parts of the country after independence. In 2025, the occasion gains extra importance as it coincides with a major milestone in his life story.
Remembering the Architect of Modern India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as the first deputy prime minister and home minister, faced the huge task of merging more than 560 independent regions into one country right after 1947. These areas made up a large portion of the land and people. Leaders of these regions could choose to join India, Pakistan, or stay separate. Through smart talks, gentle pushes, and strong steps when needed, Patel managed to bring them all under one flag by August 15, 1947, or soon after. His work stopped the country from splitting into many pieces and set the base for a single, democratic India. During the tough times of division, his firm guidance kept things stable inside the borders. He also set up a system of all-India services to hold the nation together over time.
The Vision of a Connected Nation
The idea of building stronger ties between different parts of India started in 2015 during the celebrations for Patel’s 140th birth anniversary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a program to encourage ongoing links between people from various states and union territories. This effort aims to help everyone understand and connect better with each other.
The main goals include creating emotional connections among citizens, pushing for better integration through planned meetings between states, highlighting the rich variety of cultures, forming long-term partnerships, and sharing useful ideas from one region to another. By matching states and territories in pairs, the program supports exchanges in language, traditions, and learning. These activities turn the yearly event into a continuous push for togetherness.
Key Activities Under the Program
Several projects draw inspiration from this day of unity. One is an app that teaches simple sentences in over 22 Indian languages for daily use. There are also shows of arts and food from different areas. Programs for students allow young people from paired states to visit each other, building friendships and knowledge.
Events like the gathering between Kashi and Tamil Nadu focus on shared art, words, and customs. Online efforts, such as a digital space and quizzes, get people involved in learning about the country’s varied heritage. A main website acts as a hub for sharing stories of these exchanges, youth events, and campaigns from different government departments. It features sections on travel within India, local sports, and a wall that shows monthly highlights of the nation’s shared identity.
Special Highlights for 2025
This year’s events stand out because they honor the 150th anniversary of Patel’s birth. The focus remains on his lasting impact, especially when the world faces issues that test social bonds. The day ties closely with efforts to build emotional links through sharing cultures, languages, and understanding between matched states and territories. These steps turn the idea of variety within unity into an active, ongoing movement involving everyone.
On October 31, starting around 8 AM, the Prime Minister will pay respects with flowers at the Statue of Unity. This leads into the main activities for the anniversary. The key gathering happens in Ekta Nagar, in Gujarat’s Narmada district. An air display by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran group adds excitement. The parade includes 16 groups from nine states and one union territory police, plus four central armed police forces and NCC members. Special parts feature a dog team from the border security force, a motorcycle show from Assam police, and a camel group with a band.
A woman officer will lead the honor guard for the Prime Minister. Floats from various states and territories follow the theme of unity amid variety. A big cultural show by the culture ministry brings together about 900 performers in traditional and folk styles.
From November 1 to 15, Ekta Nagar hosts a festival with performances and food from across states. It ends on November 15 with events for Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, showcasing tribal traditions and strength.
Other features include a unity run in Delhi from Rajghat to Red Fort, with groups like people with disabilities, students, and armed forces. Projects worth around 280 crore rupees will start or have foundations laid in Ekta Nagar that week.
A Unique Twist in the Parade
The 2025 parade brings something new: a group of dogs from Indian breeds like Rampur Hounds and Mudhol Hounds, handled by the border security force. These dogs help in security work and show their skills. One Mudhol Hound named Riya, who won top spot in a national police dog event, leads them. This part celebrates local breeds and fits the self-reliant India theme, while linking to the broader idea of diverse unity.
Nationwide Unity March
The youth affairs and sports ministry, using a national platform, has set up a country-wide march to build a sense of togetherness, love for the country, and duty among young people. It fits with the goal of a self-reliant, united India. Started on October 6, 2025, by a union minister on the platform, it includes contests like short video reels on social media, essays, and a program for 150 young leaders who join the main walk.
The march happens in two parts. From October 31 to November 25, walks occur at district levels in every parliamentary area, with talks, debates, seminars on Patel’s work, and plays in educational places. Along with the walks, actions like cleaning water spots, planting trees in special groves, camps for women’s well-being, yoga sessions, and pushes for local products take place.
The national part, from November 26 to December 6, covers 152 kilometers from Patel’s birthplace in Karamsad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. Students from national service scheme, NCC, volunteers, and young leaders join in village development along the way. A display shows the country’s varied cultures and Patel’s journey.
The Unity Run Tradition
A major part of the day’s activities is the nationwide run that stands for moving forward together as a nation. In 2025, it happens on October 31 before the main events, with thousands joining in cities, including starts led by ministers in New Delhi. The Prime Minister has asked everyone to take part in this run to mark the anniversary.
Building Lasting Bonds
This day serves as a key reminder of the leadership that shaped India into one entity from many separate parts, a base that supports growth today. Through respects to history and current involvement in pledges, walks, and cultural gatherings, it not only looks back at past successes but also fights against forces that divide people now. The ongoing programs, like language festivals, cultural displays, and youth changes, keep the sense of shared variety alive all year.