National Unity Day 2025: Date, Theme, History, Significance, And Quotes To Share On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

National Unity Day 2025 Date, Theme, History, And Significance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, is a special occasion celebrated across India to honour the strength of unity and integrity that binds the nation together. Observed every year on 31st October, the day pays tribute to the birth of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, who played a vital role in uniting the country after independence. 

As India continues to grow and evolve, National Unity Day 2025 serves as a meaningful reminder of Patel’s vision - a nation where people from different cultures, languages, and regions stand together with shared pride. In this article, we explore the date, theme, history, and significance of National Unity Day, along with why Rashtriya Ekta Diwas continues to hold great importance in modern India.

National Unity Day 2025 Date (When Is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In 2025 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas falls on Friday.

National Unity Day 2025 Theme (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Theme)

Each year the theme centres around unity, integrity, diversity and national togetherness. National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) 2025 theme is ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

This year’s Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations featured a cultural program and a National Unity Day parade conducted by police and paramilitary forces. The program was also attended by PM Modi. It featured a tableau from 10 states and Union Territories, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and National Security Guard (NSG), displayed under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’.

National Unity Day History

The observance of National Unity Day was introduced in 2014 by the Government of India, in memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on 31 October 1875, who served as the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Press Information Bureau (PIB) states, “The day was first celebrated in 2014, following a declaration by the Government of India to honour and celebrate Sardar Patel’s remarkable contribution to nation-building. Following this, during the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October, 2015 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ for sustained and structured connect between people of different regions of the country for an enhanced understanding and bonding between them.”

It further states, “More than ten Central ministries, state governments, schools, colleges and youth organisations have since been celebrating through various activities to promote such bonding between people from different parts of the country.”

This year’s celebration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is particularly special as it marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.

National Unity Day Significance (Why Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Matters)

National Unity Day holds deep importance in India’s civic calendar for several reasons:

• It honours the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his vision of a united India.

• It reminds citizens of the value of unity amidst India’s immense diversity of cultures, languages, faiths and regions. 

• It encourages institutions like schools, colleges, government offices, to reflect on and promote the ideals of integrity, cohesion and solidarity.

• It serves as a platform to reaffirm national commitment towards internal security, unity and collective strength.

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National Unity Day: How Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Is Celebrated

On this day, across India, a number of activities mark the occasion:

• A pledge is administered in schools and institutions to uphold national unity. 

• The ‘Run for Unity’ is organised for citizens, especially youth and students, to take part in unity-runs or marathons. 

• Tributes are paid to Sardar Patel at memorials, and at the popular monument Statue of Unity in Gujarat. 

• Cultural programmes, discussions and exhibitions take place to reinforce the message of national integration. 

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National Unity Day 2025: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Inspirational Quotes

• “There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “Ours is a non-violent war, it is Dharma Yuddha.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• "Religion is a matter between the man and his Maker." - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “Faith is of no evil in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “Take to the path of dharma – the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice and the other we fight against our own weaknesses.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “We have tried to overcome our weaknesses honestly and in a definite manner. The proof, if any proof is needed, is Hindu-Muslim unity.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but if it has the wholehearted co-operation of all on board; she could be safely brought to port.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• “One can take the path of revolution but the revolution should not give a shock to the society. There is no place for violence in revolution.” - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

• "Two ways of building character - cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness." - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 

Celebrating National Unity Day carries added significance as India continues to navigate rapid social, economic and technological changes, the message of unity serves as a timely reminder that diversity is a strength. By participating in the theme, every individual can contribute to the collective purpose of a stronger, more integrated India.

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