Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state will organise the historic “Sardar Patel 150 Unity March” from 31 October to 26 November 2025 to mark the 150th birth anniversary year of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Speaking to media representatives at his official residence, the Chief Minister said Patel was not only a great freedom fighter, but also the architect of a united and integrated India.
He recalled how Sardar Patel showed courage and determination in merging over 500 princely states into the Indian Union, ensuring the country’s present territorial unity. “The Nawab of Junagadh and the Nizam of Hyderabad once tried to resist, but Sardar Patel’s resolve prevailed,” Yogi said.
The Chief Minister stated that since 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, National Unity Day is celebrated every year on October 31 with the Run for Unity. The Statue of Unity in Gujarat stands today as the world’s tallest statue and a symbol of national pride.
This year, every district in Uttar Pradesh will host a Run for Unity on 31 October, followed by 8-10 km padyatras in every Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituency. Five representatives, including two athletes or artists from each district, will be taken to Karamsad, Sardar Patel’s birthplace, and from there will join a 150 km national padyatra to Kevadia (Statue of Unity). Thousands of youth from across India will participate.
A series of three-day padyatras in all parliamentary constituencies will be held, passing through every assembly segment. Prior awareness drives, debates, essay competitions, street plays, seminars, and cultural events on Sardar Patel’s life will be organised at village, municipal, block, assembly, and parliamentary levels.
Special campaigns will also focus on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (drug-free India), ‘Vocal for Local’, Swadeshi fairs, UP Trade Fair, yoga and health camps, and cleanliness drives. Local committees will honour Sardar Patel with floral tributes along the routes.
Yogi Adityanath said, “From Akhand Bharat (United India) to Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), and from self-reliance to a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), this campaign will strengthen the foundation of the nation.”
The grand campaign will culminate on 26 November – Constitution Day, linking Sardar Patel’s legacy to India’s democratic spirit and paying tribute to great national icons including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, MLC Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, and media representatives were present on the occasion.
