PM Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of unity for the development of the country

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to him at the Statue of Unity and took part in activities relating to Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in Kevadia, Gujarat on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi first conveyed his profound sorrow for the people who suffered in yesterday's unfortunate accident in Morbi. He claimed that despite being in Kevadia, his heart was still with the people who were hurt in the accident in Morbi.

After speaking about the government and authorities’ efforts to save lives during the tragedy, PM Modi went on to highlight the importance of Ekta Diwas in 2022.

"It is the year when we completed 75 years of our Independence and we are moving ahead with new resolutions," he said.

Adding that unity is important at every level, he said that 75,000 Ekta Runs are taking place all across the nation as a result of this sentiment.

"Entire country is drawing inspiration from the resolute determination of Sardar Patel. Every citizen is taking a pledge for the unity of the country and to evoke ‘Panch Pran,’" he added.

Additionally, he went into greater detail on Sardar Patel's efforts to unify India by combining more than 550 princely states.

"Sardar Patel’s Jayanti and Ekta Diwas are not merely dates on the calendar for us, they are grand celebrations of India’s cultural strength. For India, Unity was never a compulsion, it was always a feature of our country. Unity has been our uniqueness", he said.

He also cautioned against the nation becoming divided and becoming weaker due to the "slave mentality, selfishness, appeasement, nepotism, greed, and corruption."

"We have to counter the poison of divisiveness with the Amrit of Unity," he added.

By citing examples such as the availability of free vaccinations, medical facilities like AIIMS, and the construction of defense corridors, he said that government programs reach every citizen of the nation without any discrimination.

PM Modi further recalled that during the last eight years, the nation has recognised every tribe that had been overlooked for years and said that Tribal Pride Day was established as a way to honour tribal pride. In this regard, he mentioned the several states around the nation where tribal museums are now being constructed.

PM Modi also emphasized that Ekta Nagar is evolving into "a model city of India" and informed the gathering that a museum honoring the sacrifice of the royal families who gave up their rights for the country's unity will be established there soon.