Grand Celebration of “Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam – The Festival of Unity” in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and his far-sighted leadership, the Government of Delhi under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta successfully organised a grand event “Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam – The Festival of Unity” as part of the “Sardar @150” campaign.

The event witnessed the presence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, as well as students from various schools, NSS volunteers, members of My Bharat organisation, and teachers in large numbers.

Anointment of Sardar Patel’s Statue with Sacred Water

The event commenced at Patel Chowk, where the statue of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was anointed with sacred water collected from 25 major rivers of the country. On this occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally offered the sacred water at the feet of Sardar Patel’s statue.

The Chief Minister said that this ritual of anointment was not merely a gesture of reverence, but a symbol of unity, integrity, and devotion the very essence that Sardar Patel infused into the soul of India. She noted that students from Delhi had collected water from 25 sacred rivers including the Jhelum, Brahmaputra, Narmada, and Godavari representing India’s cultural diversity and spiritual unity. She stated, “India is not merely a piece of land, but a living national being whose consciousness flows through our rivers.”

Unity Message through the ‘Unity March’

Following the ceremony, the Chief Minister led the ‘Unity March’, which began at Patel Chowk and concluded at the National War Memorial. Students, NSS volunteers, My Bharat youth members, and teachers enthusiastically participated in the march. The Chief Minister remarked that this was not just an event, but a living manifestation of the unity within India’s diversity, an ideal personified by Sardar Patel through his life’s work.

Under her leadership, the march turned Patel Chowk into a sea of tricolour flags, symbolising the strength, integrity, and pride of the nation. Every hand held the national flag, every step echoed patriotic chants, a vivid reminder that though India is a land of diversity, its soul is eternally one.
The atmosphere brimmed with patriotism, enthusiasm, and pride. Students from various Delhi schools beautifully expressed the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat through patriotic songs and dance performances.

Homage to Sardar Patel’s Ideals

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the 150th birth anniversary marked a historic occasion to honour the great statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who unified the nation and ushered in a new era of oneness and integrity.
She further said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, in 2014, began the tradition of celebrating Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary as National Unity Day, inspiring every Indian to draw strength from Patel’s ideals. The Chief Minister described the day as a historic reaffirmation of the vision of an integrated and strong India.

Education Minister Ashish Sood’s Address

Education Minister Ashish Sood recalled that during the most trying times of Partition, when Delhi was in chaos and thousands of Hindu refugees stood homeless under the open sky, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel emerged as the city’s greatest guardian. He restored law and order, established relief camps, and assured every displaced family arriving from Punjab, Sindh, and the Frontier Province that Delhi would be their home.

He added that the resilience, diversity, and vitality we see in Delhi today are the results of Patel’s vision, the same vision that not only united princely states but also rebuilt lives. “This day reminds us,” he said, “that history is not merely written it is lived through thoughts and actions.”
He shared that as part of the ‘Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam’ journey, 150 students and teachers would collect water from 25 culturally significant rivers across India and offer it to the Yamuna, symbolising national unity.

Children from Delhi brought sacred water from rivers such as the Jhelum of Kashmir, Brahmaputra of Assam, Narmada of Gujarat, and Godavari of the South.
“The message of this effort is clear,” he said. “India is not a mere piece of land, it is a living national soul. Its spirit flows through our rivers, beats in the hearts of our soldiers, and shines in the eyes of our daughters.”