National Unity Day (India)

{{Infobox holiday

{{Infobox holiday

| official_name = Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

| official_name = Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

|caption = ”[[Statue of Unity]]” at [[Kevadia]]

| caption = ”[[Statue of Unity]]” at [[Kevadia]]

|image = Statue of unity (cropped).png

| image = Statue of Unity in 2018.jpg

|significance = Celebrating the birth anniversary of [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]]

| significance = Celebrating the birth anniversary of [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]]

|date = 31 October

| date = 31 October

|scheduling = 31 October 2018

| scheduling = 31 October 2018

|duration = 1 day

| duration = 1 day

|frequency = Annual

| frequency = Annual

| type = National

| holiday_name = National Unity Day

}}

}}

”’National Unity Day”’ (Hindi: {{Lang|hi|राष्ट्रीय एकता दिवस}}, ISO Transliteration: {{transl|hi|ISO|Rashtriya Ekta Diwas}}) is celebrated in India on 31 October. It was introduced by the [[Government of India]] in 2014. The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of [[Sardar Vallabhai Patel]] who had a major role in the [[political integration of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=31 October 2019|title=What is National Unity Day and why is it celebrated on 31st October?|url=https://scroll.in/announcements/942195/what-is-national-unity-day-and-why-is-it-celebrated-on-31st-october|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

”’National Unity Day”’ (Hindi: {{Lang|hi|राष्ट्रीय एकता दिवस}}, ISO Transliteration: {{transl|hi|ISO|Rashtriya Ekta Diwas}}) is celebrated in India on 31 October. It was introduced by the [[Government of India]] in 2014. The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of [[Sardar Vallabhai Patel]] who had a major role in the [[political integration of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=31 October 2019|title=What is National Unity Day and why is it celebrated on 31st October?|url=https://scroll.in/announcements/942195/what-is-national-unity-day-and-why-is-it-celebrated-on-31st-october|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Nation observes Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on birth national unity day also known as anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/nation-observes-rashtriya-ekta-diwas-on-birth-anniversary-of-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-116103100039_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=31 October 2016 }}</ref>

==Objective==

==Objective==

The official statement for National Unity Day by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Ministry]] of India cites that the National Unity Day “will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.”<ref>{{citation |agency=[[Press Information Bureau]] |title=Observance of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on 31st October |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110785 |work=pib.nic.in |publisher=[[National Informatics Centre]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |date=24 October 2014 }}</ref>

The official statement for National Unity Day by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Ministry]] of India cites that the National Unity Day “will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.”<ref>{{citation |agency=[[Press Information Bureau]] |title=Observance of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on 31st October |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110785 |work=pib.nic.in |publisher=[[National Informatics Centre]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |date=24 October 2014 }}</ref>{{Notelist}}

==Celebrations==

The theme for 2016 celebrations was “Integration of India”.<ref>{{citation |title=Nation observes Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on birth national unity day also known as anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/nation-observes-rashtriya-ekta-diwas-on-birth-anniversary-of-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-116103100039_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=31 October 2016 }}</ref>

In 2018 the holiday was celebrated in [[Gujarat]] with the dedication of the ”[[Statue of Unity]]”, which honours and depicts [[Vallabhbhai Patel]]. It is the largest statue in existence.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46028342|title=India unveils world’s tallest statue|date=2018-10-31|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Notes==

{{Notelist}}

==References==

==References==

==External links==

==External links==

{{commons category}}

{{Commons category-inline}}

[[Category:Modi administration initiatives]]

[[Category:Modi administration initiatives]]

[[Category:2014 introductions]]

[[Category:2014 introductions]]