New Delhi; 31 October 2026: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid floral tributes to the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on his birth anniversary today. Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh; Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri J. P. Nadda; Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju; Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge; Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh; Members of Parliament, including Shri Nitin Nabin and Smt. Sonia Gandhi; former Members of Parliament and other dignitaries also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Secretary General, Lok Sabha, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh and Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, Shri P. C. Mody, along with senior officers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, also joined the dignitaries in paying tributes to Sardar Patel.
On the occasion, addressing young students and participants from various colleges and schools, Shri Om Birla called upon the youth to draw inspiration from the life and ideals of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He urged them to dedicate their abilities, innovation and collective efforts towards strengthening India’s national unity and integrity and building a developed nation.
Shri Birla said that the life of Sardar Patel exemplified firm resolve, exceptional organisational skills, farsightedness and decisive leadership. Recalling Patel’s remarkable contribution to national integration, he noted that despite numerous challenges and difficult circumstances following Independence, his unwavering commitment to the nation enabled him to integrate around 560 princely states into the Indian Union. He observed that India’s unity and integrity today owe an immeasurable debt to Patel’s leadership and vision.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted Sardar Patel’s ability to engage in dialogue, take firm decisions when required and bring people together in pursuit of a common national objective. He said that these qualities continue to serve as an enduring inspiration for nation-building.
Referring to the students assembled in the Central Hall, Shri Birla appreciated their thoughtfulness, self-confidence, decision-making abilities and spirit of innovation. He observed that the diversity of opinions and perspectives expressed by young people from different parts of the country reflected the inherent strength of India’s democracy.
He emphasised that although cultures, languages, political systems and viewpoints may differ, commitment to national unity and the larger interests of the country must remain common and paramount.
Shri Birla noted that Samvidhan Sadan holds a special place in India’s national journey, having witnessed the freedom struggle and the making of the Constitution. It has also served as a venue for important deliberations and decisions concerning the country’s economic and social development and the making of a new India.
Expressing confidence in the younger generation, he said that the ideas, perspectives and inspiration gained by students from this historic institution would encourage them to contribute meaningfully towards the vision of a developed India.
Emphasising the responsibility of young people in nation-building, Shri Birla said that while earlier generations had secured Independence and laid the foundations of a new India through their sacrifices and contributions, it was now the responsibility of the youth to take the nation forward. He highlighted that India’s young generation has immense opportunities to contribute across diverse fields through science and technology, knowledge, resources, self-confidence and innovative capabilities.
The Lok Sabha Speaker urged young people to channel their creativity, spirituality, scientific temperament and technological capabilities towards the service of the nation. He stressed that national interest must remain the foremost priority for young people working in every sphere. He further observed that the collective efforts of the country’s leadership and youth would play an important role in realising the vision of a developed India that leads the world.
Expressing hope that the ideas shared by the young participants would inspire youth across the country with renewed energy, direction, confidence and determination, Shri Birla said that India’s younger generation should imbibe the vision, hard work, firm resolve and self-confidence exemplified by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
He expressed confidence that these qualities would enable India to emerge as a transformative global force and contribute solutions to challenges confronting the world. Earlier in the day, Shri Birla, in his message on X, paid heartfelt tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, describing him as the Iron Man of India and a great visionary whose unwavering resolve and exceptional leadership gave a new direction to India’s unity, integrity and sovereignty.
He recalled Patel’s leading role in the freedom struggle and his contribution to shaping independent India. As the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Patel played a decisive role in addressing one of the most formidable challenges faced by the newly independent nation through the integration of more than 562 princely states.
Shri Birla noted that Patel’s extraordinary leadership and political foresight strengthened the foundations of a united and powerful India. He further stated that Sardar Patel’s vision extended beyond Independence. Patel aspired to build a strong, self-reliant and cohesive nation where diversity would remain a source of strength and national unity would define the country’s identity.
Concluding his message, Shri Birla said that the observance of Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary as National Unity Day reminds every citizen of their collective responsibility towards preserving the unity, integrity and security of the nation. He called upon citizens to follow Patel’s ideals and contribute wholeheartedly towards building a strong, harmonious and developed India.
