National Unity Day – Salute to the Unifier of India
A commemorative postage stamp on the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas : the Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel :
Issued by India
Issued on Oct 31, 2016
Issued for : On the occasion of birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on “National Unity Day – Salute to the Unifier of India”.
Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 1000 Paise
Stamps Printed : 410220
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Name : Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Born on Oct 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Bombay Presidency, British India [now in Gujarat, India]
Died on Dec 15, 1950 at Bombay, Bombay State, India
About :
- National Unity day (also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is celebrated on 31st of October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The spirit behind observing the National Unity day is to foster and reinforce our dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of our nation. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day was introduced by the Government of India in 2014 with aim of paying tribute on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was instrumental in keeping the nation unified.
- A pledge taking ceremony called “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge” is organised in all government offices, public sectors and public institutions every year on this occasion. The objective of pledge taking ceremony is to bring realization among Indian citizens of the importance of national integrity in defeating the threats to unity and security of the nation.
- As part of the various events proposed to be held during the celebrations, a “Run for Unity” is also being organised in the National Capital and other places of the country, involving people from all sections of the society to spread the message of national unity in every part of the nation and the society. In order to boost the sentiments that our nation will not countenance any force that seeks to threaten the unity, integrity and security of our nation, a ceremonial parade, including a March Past by Police and Para-Military Force personnel is also organised at various places in the country every year. The purpose of organizing such programs is to promote national integration among citizens of India as well as maintain unity and integrity of the country.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the country. He was born at 31st October, 1875, in a small village in Nadiad, Gujarat. From his childhood itself, he was known for his indomitable courage.
- Inspired by the work and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel joined India’s struggle for Independence. He was one of the important social and political leaders of India who played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. He was elected as Ahmedabad’s Municipal President in 1922, 1924 and 1927. He was elected as Congress President in 1931. He played key roles in organising peasant’s movements in Kheda, Borsad and Bardoli in Gujarat and promoted the Quit India Movement against the British regime. He organised relief camps for refugees in Punjab and Delhi.
- His strength of character, the sharpness of his mind, his organizing skills, and energy were instrumental in achieving the freedom of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hard to make India as Union of India (Ek Bharat). He also requested the people of India to live together by uniting in order to create Shresth Bharat (Foremost India). His dedication towards national integration was completely uncompromising in order to make a newly liberated united country. Because of his dedication towards the unity in country, and his political wisdom and foresight, he was able to integrate more than 500 independent princely states in 1947 to 1949 through the Independence Act 1947. Sardar Patel is also affectionately remembered as the “Patron saint of India’s civil servants” as he established the modern All-India Services system. For his services to the nation Sardar Patel was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991. He was a man of courage and determination and in the true sense the ‘Iron Man of India’.
- Text : Based on the material available on internet.
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