Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Grama Jyothi Welfare Association, Banakamdoddi Village, organised a three-day programme from 4 to 6 February 2026 in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The program was held along the State Highway Road (Puttaparthy) Junction to Bylanjineyaswamy Temple, Palamaneru, and witnessed participation of more than 3,800 individuals from four blocks - Punganuru, Palamaneru, Madanapalle, and Pileru- including elected representatives, social activists, SHG members, Vidya Volunteers, Red Cross Society members, and students.
Speakers paid tribute to Sardar Patel's unparalleled role in the political integration of princely states into the Republic of India, describing it as the bedrock of modern India. They also emphasised that the Sardar@150 Unity March was a movement to inspire youth towards building a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. During the event, a ‘Unity Pledge’ and ‘Nishamuktha Bharath Pledge’ were also administered to the participants.
Some of the other activites that took place duing the 3-day event included the Sardar@150 Unity March, Rural Women Kabaddi Sports Tournament, presentation of a Telugu mythological drama, and a cultural program by local artists, all oriented towards spreading the message of unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among rural communities.
The program was organised as part of the Ministry of Culture's two-year commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Sardar Patel’s birth and to carry his enduring message of national unity and integration to the youth at the grassroots level.
