Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, played a crucial role in persuading many princely states to join the Union of India. Because of his efforts towards national integration, Vallabhbhai Patel is often referred to as the “Iron Man of India ''. To honour his legacy, the government in 2014 declared October 31, his birth anniversary, as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

Bhopal Division Railway has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Along with this, Run for Unity will also be organised at Railway School Itarsi of the division. Apart from this, march-past will also be done by Railway Protection Force.

During this, various programmes are to be organised for which preparations have been started at the divisional and station level.

According to the programme released by the railways, on Monday at 11 am, all the officers and employees of the railway station and depot office of the division will take the oath of national unity with true integrity. After this, at 5:30 pm, a parade march past will also be done by the Railway Protection Force from the Divisional Office to Habibganj Railway Colony.

Along with this, a digital exhibition related to the biography of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will also be put up in the air concourse area of Rani Kamalapati station in the evening itself. Apart from this, a Unity Run will be organised at Railway School Itarsi of Itarsi railway station of the division itself. Many other cultural programs will also be organised during this period.