New Delhi; 31 October, 2026: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid floral tributes at the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on his birth anniversary today.
Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh; Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri J. P. Nadda; Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju; Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge; Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh; Members of Parliament, including Shri Nitin Nabin and Smt. Sonia Gandhi; former Members and other dignitaries also paid floral tributes at the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion.
Secretary General, Lok Sabha, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh and Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, Shri P. C. Mody, along with senior officers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, also joined the dignitaries in paying tributes to Sardar Patel.
On this occasion, addressing young students and participants from different colleges and schools, Shri Birla called upon the youth to draw inspiration from the life and ideals of the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and to dedicate their abilities, innovation and collective efforts to strengthening India's national unity and integrity and building a developed nation.
Shri Birla said that the life of Sardar Patel, the architect of modern India's national unity, exemplified firm resolve, exceptional organisational skills, farsightedness and decisive leadership. Recalling Sardar Patel's remarkable contribution to national integration, he observed that despite numerous challenges and adverse circumstances following Independence, his unwavering commitment to the nation enabled him to integrate around 560 princely states into the Indian Union. The unity and integrity of India as we see it today owes an immeasurable debt to his leadership and vision. He also highlighted Sardar Patel's ability to engage in dialogue, take firm decisions when required and carry everyone along in pursuit of a common national objective.
Referring to the students assembled in the Central Hall, Shri Birla appreciated their thoughtfulness, self-confidence, decision-making abilities and spirit of innovation. He observed that the diversity of opinions and perspectives expressed by young people from different parts of the country reflected the inherent strength of India's democracy. While cultures, languages, political systems and viewpoints may differ, the commitment to national unity and the larger interests of the country must remain common and paramount. Lok Sabha Speaker noted that Samvidhan Sadan holds a special place in India's national journey, having witnessed the freedom struggle and the making of the Constitution. It has also been a venue for deliberations and decisions concerning the country's economic and social development and the making of a new India. He expressed confidence that young people, carrying the ideas, perspectives and inspiration gained from this historic institution, would contribute meaningfully to the vision of a developed India.
Emphasising the responsibility of the younger generation in nation-building, Shri Birla said that while great personalities had secured Independence and laid the foundations of a new India through their sacrifices and contributions, it was now the responsibility of the youth to take the nation forward. With the strength of science and technology, abundant knowledge, resources, self-confidence and innovative capabilities, India's young generation has immense opportunities to make meaningful contributions across diverse fields. Lok Sabha Speaker urged young people to channel their creativity, spirituality, scientific temper and technological capabilities towards the service of the nation. He stressed that national interest must remain the foremost priority for young people working in every sphere and that the collective efforts of the country's leadership and youth would be instrumental in realising the vision of an India that leads the world.
Expressing hope that the ideas shared by the young participants would inspire youth across the country with renewed energy, direction, confidence and determination, Shri Birla said that India's younger generation should imbibe the vision, hard work, firm resolve and self-confidence exemplified by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He expressed confidence that these qualities would enable India to emerge as a transformative global force and contribute solutions to challenges confronting the world.
Earlier in the day, Shri Birla, in his message on X, had stated, "On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Ji, the Iron Man of India and the recipient of the Bharat Ratna, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great visionary whose unwavering resolve and exceptional leadership gave a new direction to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of our nation.
From playing a leading role in the freedom struggle to shaping the destiny of independent India, Sardar Patel Ji's contribution to the nation remains unparalleled and unforgettable. As the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India, he successfully addressed one of the most formidable challenges confronting the newly independent nation by playing a decisive role in the integration of more than 562 princely states. His extraordinary leadership and political foresight strengthened the foundations of a united and powerful India.
Sardar Patel Ji's vision extended beyond the attainment of independence; he aspired to build a strong, self-reliant and cohesive nation where diversity would be our strength and national unity our defining identity. The observance of his birth anniversary as National Unity Day reminds us of our collective responsibility towards preserving the unity, integrity and security of our nation. Let us draw inspiration from his ideals and resolve to contribute wholeheartedly towards building a strong, harmonious and developed India."
भारत की एकता, अखंडता और संप्रभुता को अपने दृढ़ संकल्प एवं अद्वितीय नेतृत्व से नई दिशा देने वाले लौह पुरुष, भारत रत्न सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल जी की जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। स्वाधीनता संग्राम में अग्रणी भूमिका निभाने से लेकर स्वतंत्र भारत के निर्माण तक, सरदार पटेल जी का योगदान राष्ट्र के इतिहास में अद्वितीय और अविस्मरणीय है। देश के प्रथम उप-प्रधानमंत्री एवं गृह मंत्री के रूप में उन्होंने स्वतंत्र भारत के समक्ष खड़ी कठिन चुनौती का समाधान करते हुए 562 से अधिक रियासतों के एकीकरण में निर्णायक भूमिका निभाई। उनके असाधारण नेतृत्व, राजनीतिक दूरदर्शिता और दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति ने एक अखंड एवं सशक्त भारत की नींव को मजबूत किया। सरदार पटेल जी का सपना केवल स्वतंत्र भारत का निर्माण नहीं, बल्कि एक ऐसे सशक्त, आत्मनिर्भर और संगठित राष्ट्र का निर्माण था, जहाँ विविधता हमारी शक्ति बने और राष्ट्रीय एकता हमारी पहचान। उनकी जयंती पर मनाया जा रहा 'राष्ट्रीय एकता दिवस' हमें राष्ट्र की एकता, अखंडता और सुरक्षा के प्रति अपने दायित्वों का पुनः स्मरण कराता है। आइए, हम सभी उनके आदर्शों को आत्मसात करते हुए एक सशक्त, समरस और विकसित भारत के निर्माण में अपना योगदान देने का संकल्प लें। #NationalUnityDay #SardarVallabhbhaiPatel