Ekta Nagar to Host First-Ever Evening Parade on Unity Day 2026

Ekta Nagar: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat will feature an evening parade for the first time, a showcase on the eradication of armed Naxalism and cultural performances by 5,000 artists, among several new initiatives planned for October 31.

The annual event, held in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity since 2019 in the presence of the Prime Minister, will also feature 15 citizen-designed tableaux marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

A major highlight will be the participation of police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) contingents that led operations against armed Naxalism. LED screens along the parade route will showcase short films highlighting the achievements of the participating forces.

The celebrations will also feature a performance by the National School of Drama (NSD), involving 2,000 artists from 126 districts previously affected by Naxalism. Through live enactments and performances, the artists will depict their communities’ transition from violence to peace and development.

For the first time, the parade and ceremonial performances will be held in the evening, with the government citing the need to make the event more comfortable for participants and spectators given the region’s daytime temperatures.

The cultural programme will be significantly expanded this year, with 5,000 artists presenting more than 50 art forms, compared with around 1,500 performers last year. The programme has been curated by communities from different states that have settled in Gujarat, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Another key attraction will be 15 tableaux designed by citizens through national competitions hosted on the MyGov platform and district-level contests in Gujarat. The initiative, linked to the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, includes themes such as Sujalam, focusing on water resource development, and Suflam, highlighting environmental conservation. The floats will be funded through corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions, with designs emerging from public participation rather than direct involvement by government ministries.

The celebrations will begin on October 30 with an NSD production based on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Anandamath. The play will focus on civic responsibility, cultural heritage and citizens’ role in nation-building.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed annually on October 31, commemorates Patel’s contribution to India’s unity and integration. This year’s programme aims to highlight the role of security forces while encouraging greater public participation and showcasing the country’s cultural diversity. DeshGujarat