Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – Honouring the Iron Man of India
By Sh. Jayanto N. Choudhury IPS (Retd),
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel lived only three years after India’s independence in 1947, yet his imprint on the nation remains indelible. On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (31st October 2025), marking his 150th birth anniversary, India celebrates the man who turned a fragmented land into a united nation, called India.
When the British left behind a divided subcontinent and over 550 princely states, it was Patel’s firm resolve and pragmatic diplomacy that persuaded them to join the Indian Union. From Hyderabad and Junagarh to Manipur and Travancore, his tact and tenacity forged India’s unity.
Patel’s foresight also shaped the All India Services (AIS) — officers centrally recruited but serving both the Center and the States — ensuring cohesion within India’s diverse administrative framework.
The Statue of Unity in Gujarat and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy stand as lasting tributes to his vision of national integrity and disciplined governance.
As we honour Sardar Patel on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, let us renew our pledge to his ideals — unity, selfless public service, and the protection of every citizen’s rights.
Jai Hind.
Article penned by Sh. Jayanto N. Choudhury IPS (Retd), former DGP, NSG, DGP, Assam, and had served in the IB for over a quarter-century and with MEA at the Embassy of India, Washington DC.
Currently Special Monitor with NHRC for Prisons, Juvenile Justice, Police, and Prisons and Juvenile Justice
