Annual Parade to Celebrate ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’
Shri Amit Shah stated that the parade, symbolizing India’s unity and strength, will be conducted in front of the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar every year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the salute at this year’s parade, which features participation from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), various state police units, and over 900 performing artists representing India’s rich cultural diversity.
This year’s event will also feature a spectacular air show by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran team, along with tableaux from states and police organizations. Women officers will lead several contingents, showcasing discipline, courage, and national pride.
The Minister also announced a nationwide ‘Run for Unity’ across all states, union territories, schools, and universities. Citizens will participate in the Unity Pledge reaffirming commitment to the nation’s integrity. Following this, a two-week-long ‘Bharat Parv’ will be organized in Ekta Nagar from November 1 to 15, culminating on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The festival will highlight India’s tribal culture through music, crafts, cuisine, and folk traditions.
Sardar Patel: The Architect of United India
Amit Shah called Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel “not just an individual but an ideology” who shaped India’s destiny after independence. He reminded that Patel successfully integrated 562 princely states into a single union, forming the territorial integrity of modern India. “The map of India we see today is the result of Sardar Patel’s vision and relentless efforts,” Shah said.
He highlighted Patel’s role in the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928, where Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon him the title of “Sardar”. Shah also emphasized Patel’s decisive actions in integrating Hyderabad, Junagadh, and other regions, preventing the fragmentation of the nation.
Legacy Restored Through Statue of Unity
The Home Minister lamented that for decades after Sardar Patel’s death, his legacy was sidelined, and he received the Bharat Ratna only after 41 years. It was under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the world’s tallest statue—the Statue of Unity was conceptualized and completed in just 57 months.
The 182-meter-tall statue used iron contributed by farmers from across India and now attracts nearly 15,000 visitors daily. Shah noted that over 2.5 crore people have visited the monument, which has become a global symbol of India’s unity and engineering excellence.
Ekta Nagar: A Growing Symbol of National Pride
He further mentioned that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, 14 new attractions have been developed around the Statue of Unity, including the Valley of Flowers, Ekta Mall, Jungle Safari, Butterfly Garden, and the Glow Torch Viewpoint—making Ekta Nagar a leading tourist destination.
Parade to Inspire Future Generations
Concluding his address, Amit Shah said that after Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, this grand parade will continue annually, similar to the Republic Day celebrations. He expressed hope that it would inspire youth to learn from Patel’s values of unity, sacrifice, and nation-building.
“This parade will not just be a tribute but a living embodiment of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,’ bringing together the spirit of strength, unity, and national integration,” Shah affirmed.