PM’s address at the Rashtriya Ekta Divas celebrations, Kevadia
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 31 Oct, 2023

Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! This enthusiasm of all the youngsters and the bravehearts like you is a great strength of Rashtriya Ekta Divas (National Unity Day). In a way, I can see a mini India in front of me. There are different states, different languages and different traditions, but every person present here is connected by a robust thread of unity. There are countless beads, but the garland is one. There are countless bodies, but one mind. Just as 15th August is the day of celebration of our Independence and 26th January is the day of celebration of our Republic Day, similarly, 31st October has become a festival of propagating nationalism in every corner of the country. The event held at the Red Fort of Delhi on 15th August, the parade on the Kartavya Path of Delhi on 26th January, and the events of the National Unity Day on the banks of Mother Narmada at the Statue of Unity on 31st October, have become the trinity of national ascension. The parade and the programmes held here today have overwhelmed everyone. Visitors to Ekta Nagar not only get to see this grand statue, but also get a glimpse of Sardar Saheb’s life, his sacrifice and his contribution in building united Bharat. The story of the construction of this statue itself is a reflection of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’. For its construction, farmers from every corner of the country donated farming tools and iron for the statue of the Iron Man. The Wall of Unity was built here by getting soil from every corner of the country. What a great inspiration this is! Filled with the same inspiration, crores of countrymen have become a part of this event. Lakhs of people are participating in ‘Run for Unity’ across the country. And lakhs of people are becoming a part of the run through various cultural programmes. When we see this flow of unity in the country, when we see this spirit of unity among 140 crore Indians, it seems as if the ideals of Sardar Saheb are within us in the form of the resolve of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. On this auspicious occasion, I bow down at the feet of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I extend my best wishes to all the countrymen on Rashtriya Ekta Divas. My family members, The coming 25 years are the most important 25 years of this century for Bharat. In these 25 years, we have to make our Bharat prosperous and developed. In the last century, before independence, there was a period of 25 years in which every fellow citizen had dedicated his or her life for an independent Bharat. Now to achieve the goal of a prosperous Bharat, the next 25 years of ‘Amrit Kaal’ have come before us as an opportunity. We have to achieve every goal by taking inspiration from Sardar Patel. Today the whole world is watching Bharat. Today, Bharat is at a new peak of achievements. The world was surprised to see Bharat’s potential in G20. We are proud that we are taking the credibility of the world’s largest democracy to new heights. We are proud that our borders remain secure amid multiple global crises. We are proud that in the next few years we are going to become the third largest economic power in the world. We are proud that today Bharat has reached that spot on the moon where no other country in the world has been able to reach. We are proud that today Bharat is manufacturing Tejas fighter planes and INS Vikrant indigenously. We are proud that today our professionals are running and leading the billion-trillion-dollar companies around the world. We are proud that today the glory of the tricolour is continuously getting enhanced in major sports events of the world. We are proud that the youth, sons and daughters of the country are winning medals in record numbers. Friends, In this period of ‘Amrit Kaal’, Bharat has resolved to move forward by shaking off the slave mentality. We are developing the nation and preserving our heritage at the same time. Bharat has removed the symbol of colonialism from its naval flag. Unnecessary laws made during the era of colonial rule are also being repealed. IPC is also being replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. There was a statue of a representative of a foreign power at India Gate once; but now the statue of Netaji Subhas is inspiring us at that place. Friends, Today there is no such goal which Bharat cannot achieve. There is no resolution which we Indians cannot achieve together. In the last nine years, the country has seen that when everyone makes efforts, nothing is impossible. Who would have thought that Kashmir could ever be free from Article 370? But today the wall of Article 370 between Kashmir and the country has fallen. Wherever Sardar Saheb is, he would be feeling extremely happy and would be blessing us all. Today my brothers and sisters of Kashmir are coming out of the shadow of terrorism, breathing in the air of freedom, and are walking together in the development of the country. The Sardar Sarovar Dam here on this side was also in a limbo for 5-6 decades. With everyone’s efforts, the work on this dam has also been completed in the last few years. Friends, Ekta Nagar is also a great example of ‘Sankalp se Siddhi’ or accomplishment through determination. 10-15 years ago, no one had even thought that Kevadia would change so much. Today Ekta Nagar is being recognized as a Global Green City. This is the city from where ‘Mission LiFE’, which attracted the attention of countries around the world, was started. Whenever I come here, its attraction seems to increase further. River Rafting, Ekta Cruise, Ekta Nursery, Ekta Mall, Arogya Van, Cactus and Butterfly Garden, Jungle Safari, Miyawaki Forest, Maze Garden are attracting a lot of tourists here. In the last 6 months alone, more than 1.5 lakh trees have been planted here. Ekta Nagar is also leading in solar power generation and city gas distribution. Today a special heritage train is also going to be added here which will prove to be a new tourist attraction. This train running between Ekta Nagar station and Ahmedabad has a glimpse of our heritage and modern facilities. Its engine has been given the look of a steam engine, but it will run on electricity. Arrangements for eco-friendly transport have also been made in Ekta Nagar. Now tourists here will also get the facility of a public bike sharing system along with e-bus, e-golf cart and e-cycle. More than 1.5 crore tourists have come here in the last 5 years and this number is continuously rising. Our tribal brothers and sisters here are getting a huge benefit from the same. They are also getting new sources of income. Friends, Today the whole world is watching with immense respect and trust the strength of Bharat’s resolve, the bravery and strength of the Indians and our willingness to live life to the fullest. Bharat’s incredible and unparalleled journey has today become a source of inspiration for everyone. But my dear countrymen, We should never forget certain things; we should always remember them. Today, on Rashtriya Ekta Divas, I would like to express my feelings to every countryman in this regard. Today, there is turmoil in the whole world. After Corona pandemic, the economies of many countries have collapsed. It is in a very bad shape. Many countries are today facing the highest ever inflation in 30-40 years. Unemployment is continuously increasing in those countries. Even under such circumstances, Bharat is waving its flag in the world. We are continuously moving forward, overcoming challenges one after another. We have created new records; we have also created new standards. Today, the impact of the policies and decisions with which the country has moved forward in the last 9 years is being felt in every sphere of life. Poverty is decreasing in Bharat. More than 13.5 crore people have come out of poverty in 5 years. We have got the confidence that we can eliminate poverty from the country. And we have to continue moving forward in this direction. And hence this period is very crucial for every Indian. No one should do anything that could harm the stability of the country. If we deviate from our steps, we will also deviate from our goal. The hard work with which 140 crore Indians have brought the country to the path of development should never go in vain. We have to keep the future in mind, and stick to our resolutions. My countrymen, Being the first Home Minister of the country, Sardar Patel was very strict regarding the internal security of the country. He was an iron man. For the last 9 years, the internal security of the country has been challenged from many fronts. But due to the hard work of our armed forces, day and night, the enemies of the country are not able to succeed in their plans unlike before. People have still not forgotten that period when the people were scared of going to crowded places. There was a conspiracy to stop the development of the country by targeting the festive crowds, markets, public places and all the centres of economic activities. People have seen the devastation after the blasts, the devastation caused by bomb blasts. After that, the laxity of the governments of that time in the name of investigation has also been seen. You must not allow the country to return to that era; you must stop it with all your might. We all countrymen have to know, recognize, understand and also be cautious about those who are attacking the unity of the country. Friends, The greatest obstacle in the way of national unity, in our development journey, is the politics of appeasement. The past several decades in Bharat are a witness to the fact that appeasers never see terrorism, its horrors and its monstrosity. Appeasers are not hesitant to stand with the enemies of humanity. They neglect investigating terrorist activities and avoid taking strict action against anti-national elements. This policy of appeasement is so dangerous that these people even reach the court to save the terrorists. Such mindset cannot benefit any society. It can never benefit any country. Every countryman has to be cautious at every moment, at all times, in every corner of the country, from such thinking which endangers unity. My dear countrymen, Right now there is an atmosphere of elections in the country. The election process is going on in some states and the Lok Sabha elections are also going to be held next year. You must have noticed that there is a very large political faction in the country which does not see any means of using politics in any positive way. Unfortunately, this political faction is adopting such tactics which are against the society and country. It doesn’t bother this faction even if they have to break the unity of the country for their own selfishness, because for them their self-interest is paramount. Therefore, amidst these challenges, you my countrymen, the public, your role has become very important. These people want to serve their political interests by hurting the unity of the country. If the country is aware about these things, only then will it be able to achieve its development goals. To achieve the goal of a developed Bharat, we cannot leave even a single opportunity to maintain the unity of the country with our efforts; we cannot lag behind by even a single step. We have to continuously live with the mantra of unity. We have to continuously make our contribution to maintain this unity. Whatever field we are in, we have to give our 100 percent. This is the only best way to give a better future to the coming generations. And this is what Sardar Saheb expects from all of us. Friends, A national competition related to Sardar Saheb is also starting from today on MyGov. Through Sardar Sahab Quiz, the youth of the country will get a better opportunity to know him. My family members, Today’s Bharat is the new Bharat. Every Indian today is full of immense confidence. We have to ensure that this confidence persists and the country also continues to grow. May this spirit remain within us. May this grandeur continue to remain! With this, I once again pay my humble tribute to respected Sardar Patel on behalf of 140 crore countrymen. Let us all celebrate this national festival of unity with a lot of enthusiasm. Make it a habit to live by the mantra of unity in life; keep dedicating every moment of your life to unity. With this wish, once again many congratulations to all of you! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Thank you very much.