HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 31: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), with great enthusiasm at its headquarters in Maligaon.
The event was held at the NFR Headquarters complex in the presence of Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, along with senior officers and staff. On this occasion, the General Manager administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge, reaffirming the commitment to national unity, integrity and security.
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Similar programmes were held at the office of the General Manager (Construction), where Arun Kumar Chaudhary, General Manager, NFR (Construction), led the observance. All five divisions of NFR also marked the occasion with various activities.
As part of the celebrations, a “Run for Unity” was organised, witnessing enthusiastic participation from officers and employees. The event paid tribute to the vision and leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose efforts were instrumental in uniting the nation and promoting the spirit of national integration.
Our Cachar Correspondent adds,
Cachar district came alive with patriotic fervour and collective pride on Friday as thousands of citizens, students and officials participated in a grand celebration marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. Organised by the District Administration, Cachar in collaboration with My Bharat, the event featured a massive Unity March, cultural festivities and a tribute ceremony reflecting the ideals of national integration and solidarity.
The celebration witnessed participation from more than three thousand citizens, including students from various schools and colleges, NSS and NCC volunteers, Scouts and Guides, ASLRM and NULM members, representatives from government departments such as Agriculture, Sports, Social Welfare, Education, Health and Silchar Municipal Board, along with nearly fifty NGOs and youth clubs from across the district. The march, carrying the message of peace, solidarity and a self-reliant India, was flagged off by Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, MP RS Kanad Purkayastha, and Minister for Food, Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals and Barak Valley Development Department, Kaushik Rai. District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS, led the parade with students, citizens and officials, creating a vibrant spectacle of unity and national pride.
At Gandhi Bagh, the gathering paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel before the commemorative programme began. The highlight of the event was the address by Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, who hailed Patel as not only a freedom fighter but the iron backbone of India’s political consolidation. He described the day as a moment of deep national pride and remembrance, emphasising Patel’s rise from rural Gujarat to a key figure in India’s freedom struggle and nation-building efforts.
RS MP Kanad Purkayastha highlighted Patel’s contribution to the creation of a unified India, urging the youth to imbibe his ideals of self-discipline, patriotism and national service. He traced Patel’s journey from a farmer’s family in Nadiad, Gujarat, to becoming a leading barrister and a central figure in India’s independence movement, leading historic movements like Kheda and Bardoli Satyagrahas. Purkayastha underlined Patel’s administrative genius in merging over 562 princely states into the Indian Union and cited the Statue of Unity as a tribute to his vision of unity and nationalism. He called upon citizens to dedicate themselves to Patel’s spirit of discipline, integrity and service for a stronger, self-reliant India.
MLA Silchar Dipayan Chakraborty paid tribute to Patel as a visionary statesman whose courage and conviction united a divided nation. He urged citizens to rededicate themselves to national unity and integrity, pledging to realise Patel’s vision of a united, strong India. MLA Udharbond Mihir Kanti Shom echoed the sentiments, highlighting Patel’s legacy of courage, foresight and discipline and called on the youth to carry forward his ideals of patriotism and national unity.
Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS, reflected on Patel’s lasting influence on modern India’s administrative and governance systems, noting his role as India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in establishing the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service. He emphasised that the celebration was not merely a remembrance but a reaffirmation of the people’s commitment to peace, progress and national integration.
In his welcome address, Mehebub Alam Laskar, Deputy Director of My Bharat, Cachar, appreciated the overwhelming public participation and collective efforts in making the event a grand success. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Assam, participating departments, NSS, NCC, Scouts and Guides, ASLRM, NULM and more than fifty local clubs and NGOs. Laskar highlighted that the event reflected the spirit of My Bharat, promoting youth action, unity and civic consciousness.
The programme featured vibrant cultural performances by students from Assam University and Gurucharan College, including patriotic songs and traditional dances such as Bihu, Dhamail and Manipuri. A street play by Pathik Natya Sanstha and Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School students conveyed a strong social message on remaining drug-free and embracing national values. Women’s Self-Help Groups from Cachar showcased local handicrafts, handloom products and food items at the Swadeshi Mela, promoting the spirit of “Vocal for Local.”
Towards the end, MP Parimal Suklabaidya and other dignitaries participated in a symbolic tree plantation drive under the initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” reflecting the district’s commitment to environmental sustainability and preserving nature as a tribute to national unity.
The event was attended by Additional District Commissioners Phyllis Hrangchal, Hemanga Nobis, Bonnykha Chetia, Masi Topno and Deepa Das, along with senior district officials, government representatives and members of civil society. The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks by Prosenjit Bhattacharjee, expressing gratitude to all departments, volunteers and citizens for making the event a grand success.
Our Nagaon Correspondent adds,
Gopinath Dev Goswami Commerce College and Nowgong Girls’ College observed National Unity Day with enthusiasm, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
At Gopinath Dev Goswami Commerce College, the National Service Scheme (NSS) organised events including an extempore speech competition and a seminar. Dr Mriganka Saikia, Principal, highlighted Patel’s role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union, while guest speaker Professor Krishna Kamal Das spoke on the significance of unity in a diverse nation. Students took a pledge to uphold national unity and prizes were awarded to the competition winners.
Nowgong Girls’ College also marked the day with programmes organised by the Department of Political Science. Ranjit Barua explained the relevance of the occasion, followed by a screening of a documentary on Sardar Patel. Students took the national unity pledge and participated in a quiz competition on the freedom movement and Patel’s life, with winners receiving prizes. The event concluded with the singing of the national anthem.
