Kevadia, Oct 31: In a stirring display of humility and patriotism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday walked the entire stretch of the Ekta Parade ground at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, greeting thousands of citizens, security personnel, and participants gathered to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

The spontaneous gesture came immediately after the grand parade commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister.

Eschewing the usual protocol of a swift departure, PM Modi chose to connect directly with attendees, waving, smiling, and exchanging warm greetings as he made his way across the expansive venue.

Dressed in his signature kurta, he paused for selfies, high-fives, and conversations, eliciting cheers and chants of "Modi! Modi!" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" from the diverse audience, which included families, schoolchildren, and tourists who had registered online for the event.

"This is not just a parade; it's a living tribute to Sardar Patel's dream of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat," PM Modi remarked to a group of young participants, according to eyewitnesses.

The moment, captured in viral videos shared across social media, symbolised PM Modi's personal touch to commoners. Earlier, he paid floral tributes at the statue's base and unveiled commemorative coins and stamps honouring the 'Iron Man' Sardar Patel.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas reminds us of Sardar Patel's unmatched dedication to national unity and integration. May the spirit of oneness continue to guide our nation."

The Ekta Parade, a spectacular Republic Day-style spectacle themed 'Unity in Diversity', featured marching contingents from elite forces like the National Security Guard (NSG), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF) Camel Band, and state police units from Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Maharashtra, and others.

Tableaux from various states and union territories highlighted India's cultural mosaic, while highlights included BSF dog squads demonstrating anti-terror operations, daredevil motorcycle stunts by Assam Police, and an air show by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team.

PM Modi, who inaugurated and reviewed the parade, administered the 'Oath of Unity' pledge to the massive crowd, reaffirming Patel's vision of a cohesive India forged from over 560 princely states post-Independence.

The event drew Chief Ministers from several states and drew an estimated 50,000 attendees. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the annual parade as a "permanent fixture" to immortalise Patel's legacy, announcing a 15-day 'Bharat Parv' cultural festival starting November 1.