National Unity Day 2021: Date, History And Why Is It Celebrated

To honour Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy, the government in 2014 declared October 31 as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. 

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, played a crucial role in persuading many princely states to join the Union of India.

Because of his efforts towards national integration, Vallabhbhai Patel is often referred to as the “Iron Man of India ''. To honour his legacy, the government in 2014 declared October 31, his birth anniversary, as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. 

History

Since 2014, the government has been organising events and programmes on October 31 to honour Vallabhbhai Patel's contributions. Declaring his birth anniversary as National Unity Day in 2014, the Home Ministry said, “This day will be marked as a reminder of the strength of our nation and will highlight the resilience of our country towards dangers posed against our security, unity, and integrity.”