PM Modi to attend Ekta Diwas parade

PM Modi is to pay tribute to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhai Patel on October 31, 2019. The event is to be conducted at the Statue of Unity, Kevadiya. PM will also participate at the Ekta Diwas Parade and interact with the Civil Service probationers attending the first foundation civil service course, Aarambh.

Ekta Diwas

Since 2014, October 31 is being observed as the National Unity Day or Ekta Diwas. The aim of the observation is to encourage people from all walks of life to participate in the run for unity. Like every year “Run for Unity” campaign is being organized

Run for Unity

In 2013, the event earned its place in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is a running event. The event entered the Guinness Book as 609,000 participants joined the event within 24 hours in multiple locations

Significance

• It urges people to participate towards one goal “Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat”
• It imparts the message to protect unity, integrity and security of the country.
• As Sir Patel integrated the nation, the day is being observed on his birth anniversary.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

As the first Home Minister of Inida, Sir Patel played key role in the integration of the princely states into Indian Federation. The plan of 16 May 1946 proposed partition of India based on religious lines with 565 princely states. They were given the freedom of joining India or Pakistan or choosing independence.

Patel, on 6 May 1947, began lobbying the princes, convinced them by explaining potential conflicts. He persuaded them and proposed favorable terms for the merger including privy purses for the rulers descendants. Privy Purses are payments made to the rulers after they agreed to merge with independent India.

Under his efforts, out of 565 states, only three states J&K, Hyderabad and Junagadh did not fall into his basket.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019