The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Power (MoP), observed Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 at India Gate, New Delhi, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.
The event was graced by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister of Power, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included Shri Tokhan Sahu, Hon’ble Minister of State (MoHUA), Shri K. Srinivas, Secretary (MoHUA), and Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (MoP).
The ceremony began with the administration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge, reaffirming the collective commitment of the attendees to uphold the unity, integrity, and security of the nation. Officials and staff members from both Ministries, their attached and subordinate offices, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), and autonomous bodies participated in large numbers.
Speaking at the event, Shri Manohar Lal paid rich tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, recalling his monumental contribution to uniting more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union. He traced Patel’s journey from his early years in public life — beginning with his election to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in 1917 — to his transformation into a nationalist leader through the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918, led under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Minister further emphasized that the vision and legacy of Sardar Patel continue to guide India’s progress. He lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for their decisive leadership in strengthening national unity, particularly citing the historic abrogation of Article 370 as a landmark step in national integration.
Reinforcing the spirit of the occasion, Shri Manohar Lal administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge to all participants, urging them to uphold and promote the ideals of national unification, harmony, and integrity inspired by Sardar Patel’s exemplary leadership.
The programme concluded with the National Anthem, marking a heartfelt tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s enduring legacy as the architect of India’s unity and an inspiration for generations to come.
