In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the first National Unity Day, with the slogan “Run for Unity.” The purpose of the holiday is to demonstrate the nation’s fortitude in preserving its sense of unity, integrity, and security. India celebrates this day by holding a variety of cultural events because it is a nation that values diversity and unity.

The first Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was born on October 31, 1875. This year marked his 147th birth anniversary. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is held in remembrance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life and his dream of a united India. Every year on October 31, the holiday is observed.

Following India’s independence from British colonial authority, Patel was successful in convincing all 565 independent princely states to join. Sardar Patel, also known as the “Iron Man” of India, was a lawyer, politician, and statesman who was successful in uniting people for the growth of the nation. From 1947 until 1950, he was India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister. The main goals of this festival are to increase national cohesion and raise knowledge of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s historical significance.

On this historic occasion, India Post decided to release a Special Cover in the fond memory of our great freedom fighter. The event was held at Birla House, the residence of Mr Yash Birla. The honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, was the chief guest of the cover release. He addressed all of the attendees of the event and shared a lot of thoughtful words. One of the most notable highlights of the event was CM Eknath Shinde’s message to Yash Birla. “Today we are here at this Historic place at the Birla House where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahatama Gandhi used to stay. It is a special day today as it has happened for the first time that a chief minister has visited the place where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took his last breath,” Shinde added, emphasizing how important Patel was to India’s independence. He described it as his good fortune to be here for the occasion and claimed that the “blueprints” for India’s freedom were taken from the Birla House.

In his remarks, CM Shinde also mentioned the Gujarat statue of unity, which celebrates India’s Iron Man glory. He shared that the state has developed due to the constant efforts put into businessmen like Yash Birla who work hard 24*7 and contribute to the development of the society as well. CM Eknath Shinde’s message to Yash Birla further was that he desired “industrialists like Yash Birla” to contribute to the prosperity of Maharashtra and promised that his “coalition administration” will work toward the state’s overall development. “Everything was stopped due to the COVID pandemic, but now the coalition government will do all-round development of Maharashtra…but we want industrialists like Birla to play role in Maharashtra’s prosperity,” he said.

CM Eknath Shinde with Mr Yash Birla for India Post Special Cover Release 2