UPDATED: Oct 31, 2026 10:24 ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Kevadia in Gujarat, paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity. The event showcased major infrastructure and ecological development initiatives launched across Ekta Nagar.

Key projects include a 2.6-kilometre Unity Trail, a rainforest featuring 60,000 plants of over 450 evergreen species, and an expanded Narmada Ghat capable of accommodating 8,000 devotees, featuring a statue of Lord Shiva. Upgrades to tourist infrastructure encompass six new travelators spanning 282 metres, illuminated facade lighting visible from two kilometres, and electric mobility solutions comprising electric buses and Vistadome coaches.

Ecological measures include five lakh plantations under the Greening of Ekta Nagar drive and an integrated solid waste management project processing 50 tonnes of waste daily to turn the area into a zero-waste tourist destination. Additional facilities include new water and sewage treatment plants, an IRCTC accommodation complex, and enhanced jetty and road connectivity.

Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSPM Pays Floral Tribute At Statue Of Unity As India Marks Ekta Diwas Across StatesPrime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat, to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Patel's birth anniversary. In Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered tributes and flagged off the Run for Unity event.

Multiple cities across the country organised Run for Unity runs, with citizens and students taking pledges to uphold national unity and integrity. At Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, grand celebrations featured cultural performances by thousands of artists, an anti-drug bike rally, and a parade by police and paramilitary contingents.

The Prime Minister is set to dedicate development projects worth around 400 crore rupees at Ekta Nagar and address the nation. Political discussions highlighted Sardar Patel's role in integrating over 550 princely states following India's independence, an initiative commemorated annually on October 31 as National Unity Day since 2014.Opposition Moves Symbolic CEC Impeachment, BJP Slams Protest Ahead of RallyThe INDIA bloc has organised symbolic impeachment proceedings against the Chief Election Commissioner at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, with former Speaker Meira Kumar presiding.

Mallikarjun Kharge moved the motion, and Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver the final remarks. Opposition leaders have accused the central government and the Chief Election Commissioner of weakening democracy ahead of their planned rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Home Minister is attempting to stop crowds and transport from reaching Delhi for the event. In response, Home Minister Amit Shah challenged the opposition to a debate on the Election Commission during a special Parliament session, asserting they are merely blaming the umpire after poll losses.

The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly defended the Election Commission, calling it a globally acclaimed constitutional body. Meanwhile, legal arguments over the right to peaceful protest and reasonable curbs under Article 19 continue to surround the planned demonstration.Delhi Shoe Factory Blaze: 4 Dead, 2 Injured in Mangolpuri as Rescue Teams Fight FireAt least four persons were killed and two others injured after a massive fire broke out in the basement of a shoe factory in Delhi's Mangolpuri Industrial Area around 9:30 p.m. on 30 October.

Six individuals rescued unconscious from inside the building were rushed to the hospital, where four were declared dead while two remain under medical treatment. Over 20 fire tenders were dispatched to combat the blaze, taking roughly four hours to bring the fire under control amid presence of highly inflammable rubber and chemical materials.

Police and forensic teams have launched an investigation into the incident, examining building layout compliance, entry and exit provisions, and fire safety norms.PM Hails ISRO Launch, NVS-03 Satellite Orbit Boost and Five New MissionsThe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket, strengthening India's indigenous NavIC constellation. The satellite was injected into an orbit of 170.3 kilometres by 38,080 kilometres.

The mission deployed India's third indigenous atomic clock into orbit, serving as a critical timing component for regional positioning and civilian as well as strategic navigation services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended ISRO scientists and engineers, describing the launch as an important milestone in advancing technological self-reliance.

Officials confirmed the satellite systems and solar panels are functioning normally. ISRO also announced plans to carry out five additional launches within the current financial year while progressing towards the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.