Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal administered the National Unity Pledge to officers, employees and maritime cadets at his official residence here today, marking National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed each year on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Participants took the pledge, affirming, "I will dedicate myself to maintaining the unity, integrity and security of the nation and will also make every possible effort to spread this message among my fellow countrymen. I take this pledge in the spirit of the unity of my country, which became possible through the foresight and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to contribute with sincerity to ensure the internal security of my country."
Sonowal paid floral tribute to Patel, India's first deputy prime minister and home minister, widely remembered as the "Iron Man of India" for uniting more than 560 princely states into a single nation after independence.
"Sardar Patel gave us one India. For far too long, the man who stitched this nation together did not receive the honour he deserved for decades," Sonowal said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed that. By building the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, and by dedicating Oct. 31 to national unity, he has placed the Iron Man of India where he belongs: at the heart of every Indian's sense of nationhood."
Sonowal also interacted with young maritime cadets, saying their passion for the nation reflects the true power of Yuva Shakti, or youth power.
"We remain committed to honoring Sardar Patel's legacy of unity and integrity to build a stronger India with the mantra of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,'" Sonowal said.
The minister said India has emerged stronger under Modi's leadership and is steadily advancing toward the goal of a developed nation, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047.
"Under Prime Minister Modi, 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' has moved from a vision to a national mission," Sonowal said. "Our ports, shipping lanes and inland waterways now connect every corner of the country, from the Northeast to the western coast. As India sails toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, these young cadets will be the ones steering the ship."
Vijay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and other senior officials attended the event.
The government has observed Oct. 31 as National Unity Day since 2014 to commemorate Patel's role in the political integration of India and to reaffirm the country's commitment to unity, integrity and security.