PARTHA ROY, New Delhi/ Kolkata: Bharat is gearing up to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on a grand scale on October 31, 2025. This momentous occasion honors the vision of the legendary son of Bharat Mata, popularly known as the “Iron Man of India,” under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The flagship event, “Run for Unity,” will take place on October 31, commemorating the 150th Birth anniversary and marking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. It celebrates the enduring spirit of unity and togetherness that Sardar Patel envisioned for India, fostering national integration through collective participation.

In Delhi, the Delhi government is organising a series of programs focused on national unity and youth engagement. The centerpiece, “Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam – The Festival of Unity,” by collecting sacred river water from important rivers across the nation. On October 25, 2025, 150 students and volunteers from Delhi government schools gathered at Yamuna Ghat to collect water from the Yamuna River during the inaugural ceremony. These young ambassadors carried the Yamuna water to 25 other states and Union Territories, where they collected water from prominent rivers such as the Jhelum, Damodar, and Musi.

Complementing this is the “National Unity Water Yatra,” where participants collect river waters nationwide to offer at the Sardar Patel statue, evoking a profound sense of oneness. “Ekta Padyatras” (Unity Marches) will unfold in Delhi’s districts on October 31, with further marches spanning a total of 150 kilometers from November 1 to 25.

A dedicated team of six, led by Ms. Pratibha Panesar from the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education, has already collected holy water from the Damodar River at Burnpur Damodar Ghat in West Bengal. This effort, coordinated with local NSS volunteers and officials from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and NSS, will contribute to the Jal Sangam ceremony in New Delhi, reinforcing Patel’s legacy of unity.