IMPHAL, Oct 31:   Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was celebrated with fervor at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal on Thursday. The event was graced by Thongam Biswajit Singh, Minister of Power, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Agriculture, Science and Technology, who took the salute from the parade contingents led by parade commander Sarangthem Hemanta Singh (MPS), CO of the 3rd IRB, and inspected the participating units.

Minister Biswajit Singh addressed the gathering, explaining the importance of the day, which has been commemorated since 2014 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a pivotal leader in India’s independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. He honored Patel’s significant contributions to the unification of India, citing his influential role in the freedom struggle and his appeal for patriotism among the youth during critical periods, including the Quit India Movement in 1942 and during India’s partition.

Singh stressed Patel’s remarkable achievements in integrating 565 princely states into a cohesive nation, which earned him the nickname “Iron Man of India.” He also noted that Patel received the Bharat Ratna in 1991 and that the “Statue of Unity” was unveiled on October 31, 2018, to commemorate his 143rd birthday.

The Minister called on the public to follow Sardar Patel’s example in promoting peace, unity, and diversity in both the state and the country. The celebration included a march past by 15 contingents, including band units, and the administration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge, led by Singh.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including ministers, MLAs, senior civil and police officials, and members of the public, all coming together to celebrate the spirit of national unity.