CHANDIGARH,22 November 2025:The National Unity Day & Sardar@150 Unity March was celebrated with great patriotic fervour today at Tiranga Park, Sector 17, Chandigarh, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India’s integration. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from thousands of citizens, including youth, women, students, various social groups and representatives from 28 States and 8 Union Territories, living in Chandigarh symbolising India’s rich diversity and collective identity.

Punjab Governor & Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria flagged off the Unity March and addressed the gathering. In his remarks, he said that Chandigarh stands as a living example of unity in diversity, where people from all regions, cultures and languages live together with mutual respect and national pride. He highlighted Punjab’s historic contribution and sacrifices in the nation’s freedom struggle, defence services, sports and academics, and also paid homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for his supreme sacrifice to protect Kashmiri Hindus, describing Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi, as a living symbol of that courage and devotion.

The Governor remembered Sardar Patel’s monumental role in uniting 562 princely states and shaping a strong and integrated India, honouring him as the Iron Man of India. He emphasized that the spirit of Bardoli Satyagraha and Patel’s principles of justice, courage, discipline and national integrity continue to inspire the nation and form the foundation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative. He stressed that national unity is the key to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, built upon four pillars—Cultural Unity, Linguistic Harmony, Inclusive Development through poverty elimination and equal opportunity, and Connectivity & Emotional integration through highways, rail, aviation and digital networks.

Calling upon citizens to uphold national integrity and cultural harmony, Shri Kataria urged society to counter every attempt by anti-national elements to weaken India internally, and expressed gratitude to the nation’s defence forces for safeguarding the country’s borders with unmatched courage.

The Governor appreciated the Chandigarh Administration, organising teams, volunteers and youth for making the Unity March a grand success. The event concluded with powerful chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, reinforcing the message that “India is One, India is United, and Unity is our Strength.”
The event was attended by NSS and NCC volunteers studying in schools and colleges in Chandigarh, students from the Government College of Art, volunteers from 'Mera Bharat Yuva', and enthusiastic citizens of the city.
Present during the occasion were Sh. Satnam Singh Sandhu, MP; Sh. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor of India; Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor Chandigarh; Smt. Prerna Puri. Secretary Education; Sh. Swapnil M Naik, Secretary Hospitality; Sh. Pardeep Kumar, Additional Commissioner MC; Sh. Sorabh Arora, Director Sports and other officials of Chandigarh Administration.