On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, as we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, it is worth asking what keeps enormous cultural mosaic from falling apart.
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Every lane in India tells a different story, of language, faith, cuisine, rhythm and colour. Yet these stories intertwine into a single, evolving national identity. On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, as we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, it is worth asking: what keeps this enormous cultural mosaic from falling apart? Patel’s vision of unity was not just territorial; it was deeply social. His belief that “India’s strength lies in her diversity” still resonates. Unity, as Patel understood, meant harmony without homogeny.
Culture as glue, not decoration
India’s festivals are perhaps the most vivid display of togetherness. During Diwali, Muslim artisans in Uttar Pradesh craft lamps; during Eid, Hindu sweet-makers in Hyderabad prepare sheer khurma; in Kerala, Onam brings people of all communities together. Each celebration blurs the boundaries of faith and geography.
Art, cinema, and music continue to perform the same unifying role. From Punjabi beats to Carnatic ragas, India’s sonic landscape reminds us that while our notes differ, the melody is one.
The invisible architects: women and community
Beyond headlines and parades, much of India’s unity is maintained at the grassroots—by women. They organise self-help groups, lead panchayats, preserve folk traditions, and mediate local disputes. In doing so, they sustain community harmony in ways that rarely reach national discourse.
“Women are the moral fibre of our civic life,” says social activist Ruma Devi of Rajasthan. “They keep families, and therefore society, from fracturing.” Their work forms the living infrastructure of unity, the social counterpart to the political integration Patel achieved.
The role of peacekeepers
While cultural unity thrives in diversity, it needs a stable environment. Here, India’s Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) play a crucial role. Whether it is the Border Security Force guarding the frontiers or the CRPF maintaining law and order, they are the quiet enablers of peace.
Ekta Diwas parades featuring CAPF contingents are more than ceremonial—they are a national salute to those who ensure that India’s unity isn’t disrupted by disorder.
The civic meaning of unity
Unity, in the end, is not an abstract ideal. It is what allows citizens to live with dignity and difference, to debate without division. As India continues to grow economically and politically, social cohesion will be its most valuable asset.
Patel’s message, and the spirit of Ekta Diwas, remind us that the task of unifying India did not end in 1949 — it continues in every village, every neighbourhood, every shared meal.
Bishnu Bhattacharjee
Social Worker, Chairman LMFN
Dimapur, Nagaland