PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel in Kevadia, says, "He always wanted to unite entire Kashmir"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar.

He arrived at Kevadia Dham in the morning, where he offered flower petals to the 182 m tall statue of Sardar Patel as he paid respects to the Iron Man of India. The PM addressed the gathering after the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) parade carried out by contingents from the police and paramilitary forces. 

He stated, "Sardar Patel believed that one should not waste time writing history, but we should work hard to create history."  

The PM highlighted that Patel always wanted to unite the entire Kashmir, along with other princely states of India. Further, criticizing Congress, which PM Jawaharlal Nehru didn't allow to happen. 

He said, "Sardar Patel wanted to unite the entire Kashmir, just as he did with other princely states. But, Nehru ji stopped his wish from being fulfilled. Kashmir was divided, given a separate Constitution and a separate flag, and the nation suffered for decades because of Congress's mistake." 

The PM added that Sardar's policies and decisions created a new history. He said, "After Independence, the impossible task of uniting more than 550 princely states was made possible by Sardar Patel. The idea of One India, Excellent India, was paramount to him."

He reflected, "Sardar Patel once remarked that his greatest joy came from serving the nation. I want to convey to the people of our country that there is no greater source of happiness than dedicating oneself to the service of the nation." 

The PM also talked about the Operation Sindoor, saying that it sent a clear message to the world that "India can enter enemy territory and strike." He mentioned his government's action on urban naxals, from 125 affected districts, only 11 remain, actively confined to three. 

A Republic Day-style parade on National Unity Day 

This was the first time a Republic Day-style parade was conducted on the National Unity Day, featuring a march of the Indian Armed Forces and decorative tableaux.

The contingents were commanded by women officers. These include paramilitary forces like BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, and SSB, with police contingents from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, along with one contingent of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

10 floats from NSG (National Security Guard), NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Manipur, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry, also participated in the parade, depicting the theme "Unity in Diversity." 

A cultural program featuring 900 artists showcased the rich and diverse culture of India, with classical dances, was also performed during the event. 

The Indian Air Force conducted a fly past under "Operation Suryakiran." Five Shaurya Chakra awardees of the CRPF and 16 gallantry medal winners of the BSF who proved exceptional valor during anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand and counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir were also honoured during the parade.