A grand Ekta Parade is being organized today on Saturday in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally present at the Ekta Parade, where he accepted the ceremonial salute of the parade. This year marks the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, and the entire complex of Ekta Nagar is resplendent with patriotic fervor. During this momentous ceremony, Prime Minister Modi administered a solemn pledge to all present to remain vigilant and committed towards the security and integrity of the nation.
The pledge administered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to strengthen the spirit of national unity among every citizen of the country. The core words of the pledge state that I solemnly pledge that I will dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity, and security of the nation and will make all possible efforts to spread this message among my fellow countrymen. Extending the pledge further, it was recited that I am taking this pledge with the spirit of unity of my country, which was made possible by the vision and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Also, the pledge included a firm commitment that I also solemnly resolve to contribute to ensuring the internal security of my country, while the ceremony concluded with resounding chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
This year's Ekta Parade witnessed an impressive display of discipline and prowess by various security forces entrusted with safeguarding India's internal and external security. The parade notably features security forces involved in anti-naxal operations, a skilled dog squad, and over 5 thousand artists from across the nation showcasing cultural diversity. The active participation of these security forces and artists has Importantly elevated the grandeur and scale of the Ekta Parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly appreciated the dedication and disciplined march of all marching contingents and participating performers.
Apart from reviewing the Ekta Parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dedicated development projects worth over 400 crore rupees to the nation, aimed at boosting tourism and infrastructure in Ekta Nagar. These newly inaugurated development projects include several state-of-the-art attractions for visitors. Under this package, a majestic rain forest spread across 47 thousand square meters and a 220-meter long thrilling glass skywalk were officially inaugurated. Also, India's largest bonsai garden was also launched today, which will serve as a major attraction for domestic and international tourists alike. To enhance tourist convenience, the launch of a 127-room IRCTC hotel is also included in these development initiatives.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue located in Ekta Nagar. It's noteworthy that every year on 31st October, Sardar Patel's birth anniversary is commemorated nationwide as National Unity Day. Following India's independence, Sardar Patel played a monumental and historic role in the successful integration of various princely states into the Indian Union. In his commemorative message, Prime Minister Modi profusely praised Sardar Patel's incomparable contributions to national integration and nation-building. The Prime Minister underscored that Sardar Patel dedicated his entire life to building a strong, prosperous, and capable nation.
