Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel! Prime Minister Modi's Inspiring Speech at the 'Statue of Unity'
On Friday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to India's first Deputy Prime Minister and 'Iron Man' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on the occasion of 'National Unity Day'. In a speech addressed to the nation on this occasion, the Prime Minister presented four pillars of unity, delivering a firm message that “Unity is the foundation of the nation's existence and it is the strength of a developed India.” At the beginning of the speech, Prime Minister Modi said, “My dear countrymen, unity is the foundation of the existence of the nation and society.
As long as there is unity in society, the integrity of the nation remains secure.” He clarified that to reach the goal of a developed India, it is necessary to defeat all conspiracies that break unity in the country. This ritual of national unity in India stands on four strong pillars: cultural unity, linguistic unity, discrimination-free development, and connectivity that brings minds closer.
Referring to cultural unity, Modi said that India's culture has kept the country alive as a nation for thousands of years. “The tradition of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the seven holy cities, the four abodes, and the Shakti Peethas is the life force that makes India a vibrant nation,” he noted. He said that initiatives like the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangam and the Kashi-Tamil Sangam are bridges connecting Indian culture. Through International Yoga Day, India has introduced the world to the science of yoga. “Yoga has become a means of connecting people today,” he said.
While discussing the second pillar, Modi said, “India's hundreds of languages and dialects are a symbol of our open and creative mindset.” He clarified that in India, no society or power has ever tried to impose a language. “That is why India has become the richest nation in terms of linguistic diversity in the world.” He further said, “We consider every Indian language as a national language. Tamil is the oldest language in the world, and Sanskrit is the treasure of knowledge. We are proud of this.” Modi emphasized education in the mother tongue and stated that every Indian should learn the languages of other states, as language is the true unifier of unity.
Speaking on the third pillar, Modi said that poverty and discrimination are the biggest threats to the unity of society. “The enemies of the country have always taken advantage of this weakness. That is why Sardar Saheb wanted to formulate long-term plans against poverty,” he said.
Referring to Patel's ideas, he said, “If India had gained independence ten years before 1947, the crisis of food shortages in the country would have ended.” Modi stated that in the past decade, the government has lifted 25 crore citizens out of poverty. “Clean water in every home, free healthcare, and housing facilities have become a reality today. Policies free from discrimination and corruption are strengthening national unity,” he noted. Speaking on the fourth pillar, Modi said that today the country is building highways, expressways, and modern railway lines at a record pace.
“Trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat are transforming the face of Indian Railways. Even small towns are now connected to air services,” he said. According to him, modern infrastructure has changed the world's perspective towards India. “This development has reduced the distance between North-South and East-West. People are easily connected for tourism and trade — this is a new era of connectivity among people,” he emphasized.
During this program, Modi once again remembered the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He stated that by merging the princely states of independent India, Patel ensured the integrity of India. “Today we are moving towards the developed India of his dreams,” he said. The core of Modi's speech was that national unity should not just be a slogan, but a part of every Indian's lifestyle. He mentioned that through cultural traditions, linguistic diversity, and development, India is leading on the world stage. “Unity is not a one-day plan, it is the identity of the nation's soul. Let us all live this spirit together, this is the path of Sardar Patel and a developed India,” Modi said in concluding his speech.