A New
Annual Unity Parade on National Unity Day
On 31 October 2025 which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel India will witness the inauguration of a “Grand Unity Parade” at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadiya) in Gujarat. Announced by Amit Shah, the union home minister, the event is set to become an annual feature of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, celebrated on 31 October each year. The format will follow the lines of the national-level Republic Day parade, featuring contingents of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and artists from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the parade in its first edition at 7:55 a.m. at Ekta Nagar.
Significance of the Date and Venue
The choice of date 31 October is not arbitrary: this is the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, famed for his role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union after independence. Ekta Nagar, located in Gujarat’s Narmada district near the Statue of Unity, has been selected as the venue for its symbolic resonance with unity and national integration. By modelling the parade on the Republic Day format, organisers hope to elevate this event in terms of ceremonial grandeur and national importance.
Features of the Parade: Displays, Bands, Participation
According to official sources, the parade will include multiple elements:
Participation by CAPFs, state police forces, and artists from all over India.
Tableaux and marching contingents representing different states and Union Territories, thereby showcasing the diversity of India’s cultural and security architecture.
Nine band contingents plus four school bands (two from Gujarat winners and two from national winners) will perform during the parade.
A “Run for Unity” event is planned to be scaled up across all states, districts, schools and universities, engaging a broad base of citizens.
The Follow-On: Bharat Parv and Cultural Festival
Beyond the parade, the administration has announced a two-week cultural festival named Bharat Parv 2025, to be held at Ekta Nagar from 1 to 15 November 2025.
The festival will include exhibitions, food stalls (45 food stalls, 55 handicraft and hand-loom stalls), state pavilions, live demonstration kitchens, cultural performances from 28 states and 8 UTs, thematic light zones, and a culmination on 15 November (which is also Birsa Munda Jayanti and celebrated as Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas).
A Cyclothon event is also planned as part of the festival’s closing activities.
Second, by elevating the scale of National Unity Day with a grand parade and festival, the government is signalling an enhanced focus on national cohesion, cultural showcase and the role of security forces in preserving the nation’s integrity. Third, the event gives a platform to states and Union Territories to exhibit their unique cultural identity, thereby reinforcing the “unity in diversity” narrative.
Finally, staging such an event at Ekta Nagar links it to a symbolic location and helps promote tourism and engagement. It aligns with broader initiatives that the government has pursued to turn the area around the Statue of Unity into a national landmark.
From an organisational perspective, the logistics of such a parade including seating for over 11,500 spectators as reported signal a high-scale mobilisation.
For tourism and local economy, Ekta Nagar stands to gain through increased footfall during the festival period (1–15 November), thereby helping local businesses, handicraft sectors and hospitality. Culturally, the inclusion of tribal celebrations and recognition of Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas broadens the narrative beyond mainstream states and mainstream culture.
Going forward, we may see iterations of the parade increasing in scale, more states participating with elaborate tableaux, and communities across India being drawn into the “unity” theme. It may also spur other events in districts and local levels aligned with national celebrations.
As this event evolves in coming years, it will be interesting to observe how it shapes public engagement, regional representation and the cultural-tourism footprint of Ekta Nagar and beyond.
Why This Matters: Unity, Recognition, and Legacy
This initiative ties together multiple threads of national significance. First, it reinforces the legacy of Sardar Patel emphasising his role in forging the union of India thereby underlining the ethos of national unity and integration.
Implications & Looking Ahead
For the first time, this parade turns 31 October from simply a commemorative day into an annual major national event. It sets in motion an institutionalised celebration that may witness increasing participation over years. The “Run for Unity” expansion indicates a grassroots-level drive reaching schools, colleges, police stations and citizen bodies.
Conclusion
The announcement by Amit Shah inaugurating a grand annual Unity Parade at Ekta Nagar on 31 October, coupled with the Bharat Parv cultural festival from 1–15 November, marks a significant enhancement of India’s National Unity Day celebrations. By elevating the event’s scale and embedding it in the national calendar, the government is not only paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy but also building a recurring framework for national integration, cultural display, and citizen participation. For students, schools, institutions and states, this offers a renewed opportunity to engage with the theme of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India) through participation, display and reflection.
.
0 Comments