National Library marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas with special exhibition on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

KOLKATA: To mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), the National Library of India in Kolkata inaugurated a special exhibition on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at S.P.M. Bhasha Bhawan on Friday. The exhibition, highlighting the life, vision, and legacy of the Iron Man of India, was inaugurated by Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Additional Director General, BSF Eastern Command, in the presence of Prof.

Ajay Pratap Singh, Director General of the National Library.Open to the public until 30 November 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the exhibition features rare books, documents, and photographs that chronicle Sardar Patel’s pivotal role in uniting India’s princely states and shaping the nation’s administrative foundation.Speaking on the occasion, ADG Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal underlined the relevance of Ekta Diwas in today’s context, linking national unity with vigilance and integrity.

“It is not only the responsibility of our leaders or soldiers to safeguard the nation—it is the duty of every citizen,” he said, urging everyone to remain alert and ethical in their respective roles.

He pointed out that corruption and complacency had historically weakened India, allowing foreign powers to dominate. Drawing lessons from the past, he said that unity can only be preserved through honesty, awareness, and collective responsibility.

Aggarwal also stressed the importance of preserving India’s intellectual and cultural heritage, describing the National Library as a “custodian of rare and historic resources.” He added, “By safeguarding our old literature and documents, we are contributing to the strength and development of our nation.”Reflecting on Sardar Patel’s legacy, Aggarwal called him the architect of India’s civil services system.

“Sardar Patel not only united the nation but also built the administrative framework that continues to hold it together,” he noted.In his presidential address, Prof. Ajay Pratap Singh, Director General of the National Library of India, praised Sardar Patel’s unmatched contribution to national unity. “At the time of independence, the country was divided into numerous princely states, most of which sought to remain independent.

It was Sardar Patel’s strategic vision and decisive leadership that brought them together,” he said.He added that India’s federal structure today stands as a testament to Patel’s political foresight. “While many nations struggle with fragmentation, our unity has remained intact. The strength of our nation owes much to the Iron Man, whose ideals continue to guide us.”The event concluded with a call to uphold Sardar Patel’s ideals of unity, integrity, and national service — values that remain as vital today as they were during the freedom struggle.