​150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• 23 Oct 2024

On 23rd October, 2024, the government announced a two-year-long nationwide celebration, from 2024 to 2026, to honour the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, recognizing his immense contribution to India's unity and democracy.

Key Points

• Two-Year Nationwide Programme: The celebrations, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will take place from 2024 to 2026, highlighting Patel's pivotal role in unifying India.
• Patel’s Enduring Legacy: As India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Patel's work in integrating over 550 princely states into the Union remains his defining legacy.
• National Unity Day: Since 2014, the government has been observing October 31, Patel's birth anniversary, as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day to promote national unity and security
• Honouring the Spirit of Unity: Various programmes across the country will recall Patel's contributions, underscoring the spirit of unity he epitomized and the strong democracy he envisioned.