Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is observed on October 31 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This year marks the 144th birth anniversary of the "Iron Man of India". Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, popularly known as Sardar Patel, served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Union Home Minister of India. Born on October 31, 1875, Sardar Patel was instrumental in uniting 562 princely states to build the Republic of India. PM Narendra Modi had flagged off "Run For Unity" on the occasion of Sardar Patel Jayanti in 2014.