Ekta Nagar in Gujarat will host its first-ever evening parade on October 31 as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations. This year’s programme will highlight efforts to eliminate armed Naxalism, feature cultural performances by 5,000 artists and showcase 15 citizen-designed tableaux marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

The annual celebrations honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose contribution to India’s unity and integration is commemorated on his birth anniversary. The event has been held at the Statue of Unity in the presence of the Prime Minister since 2019.

Security Forces to Highlight Fight Against Naxalism

A major attraction this year will be the participation of police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) contingents that led operations against armed Naxalism.

LED screens installed along the parade route will display short films highlighting the achievements of the participating forces and their role in combating Naxalism.

The National School of Drama (NSD) will also present a special programme featuring 2,000 artists from 126 districts previously affected by Naxalism. Through live performances and enactments, the artists will portray how their communities have moved from violence towards peace and development.

Evening Parade Introduced for the First Time

For the first time, the parade and ceremonial performances will take place in the evening. The government has introduced the change to provide a more comfortable experience for participants and spectators, considering the region’s daytime temperatures.

The cultural programme will also be significantly expanded. Around 5,000 artists will perform more than 50 traditional and contemporary art forms, compared with approximately 1,500 performers last year.

The programme will feature cultural traditions brought together by communities from different states that have settled in Gujarat, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

15 Citizen-Designed Tableaux to Mark Vande Mataram Anniversary

Another key attraction will be 15 tableaux designed by citizens through national competitions organised on the MyGov platform and district-level contests in Gujarat.

The initiative marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and includes themes such as Sujalam, focusing on water resource development, and Suflam, highlighting environmental conservation.

The tableaux will be funded through corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions. Their designs have been selected through public participation rather than being developed directly by government ministries.

Celebrations to Begin on October 30

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

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed every year on October 31 to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution to national unity and the integration of India.

This year’s celebrations aim to honour the contribution of security forces, promote public participation and showcase India’s rich cultural diversity.