Overview
- At Ekta Nagar, the Prime Minister paid homage, administered the unity pledge and reviewed a Republic Day–style parade featuring central forces, multiple state police contingents, tableaux and a 900‑artist cultural programme, with an air show by the IAF’s Surya Kiran team.
- On the eve of the anniversary, a ₹150 coin and a commemorative stamp were released, and projects worth about ₹1,219 crore in Kevadia were inaugurated or launched, alongside a new fleet of electric buses for the Statue of Unity circuit.
- The Youth Affairs Ministry rolled out the Sardar@150 Unity March and nationwide Run for Unity, with district marches from Oct 31–Nov 25 and a National March from Nov 26–Dec 6 covering 152 km from Karamsad to the Statue of Unity.
- In his address, Modi linked Patel’s integration legacy to present security policy, asserting Nehru blocked full integration of Kashmir, citing the abrogation of Article 370, vowing action against infiltrators and referencing Operation Sindoor and efforts against Naxal and Maoist violence.
- Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with President Droupadi Murmu praising Patel’s role in forging a strong India, opposition leaders offering respects, Congress accusing the BJP‑RSS of misappropriating Patel’s legacy, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath calling the removal of Article 370 a true tribute.