By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th November 2025: Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a very important role in preserving the unity and integrity of the country.
He said that to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary, various programs will be implemented at the central and state levels throughout the year, and everyone must be vigilant about the evil forces involved in destroying the integrity of the country.
Dr. Saha said this while inaugurating the Ekta Padyatra (Unity March) from Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala today on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Speaking at this event, Dr. Saha said that today, along with the whole country, in Tripura also, the Sardar @150 Unity March is being celebrated for the first time under the initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has organized this event.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to instill a sense of unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among our younger generation. Along with this, this program was started to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The youth should also come forward to build a united India and a self-reliant India, which should not be just in words but should also be reflected in daily life and social activities,” he said.
Dr. Saha said that after independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played one of the most important roles in protecting the unity and integrity of the country.
“His contribution to building a united India is undeniable. Since independence, Sardar Patel had included about 562 princely states in India, and that was only possible because of the strong determination, mentality, and decisive steps of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the then Home Minister of the country. He worked in the interest of protecting the unity and solidarity of the nation,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made arrangements to give real respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“The Prime Minister has announced the celebration of Unity Day since 2014. He has arranged to honor the personalities who sacrificed for our country and worked for the nation one after another. Run for Unity was started in 2014 with the aim of paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for protecting our unity and integrity. In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the full-length statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the banks of the Narmada River in Gujarat. It is one of the tallest statues in the world,” he said.
Dr. Saha said that due to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, it was possible to build a strong India by uniting the states.
“Inspired by the ideals and goals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a pledge to build a united India and a better India. The Union Home Ministry has taken up various programs throughout the year to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The state government has also taken up various programs,” he added.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharya, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Paschim Tripura Sabhadhipati (In-charge) Bishwajit Shil, District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, social worker Bipin Debbarma, and other public representatives and high-ranking officials of the administration participated in this program.
