DUBAI — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s dream of a confident, united India is finding new expression in the country’s growing partnerships abroad—especially across the Gulf—where mutual trust, cultural understanding, and shared opportunity have become the pillars of one of the world’s most enduring relationships, according to a report published Friday by the Khaleej Times.
The report coincided with India’s celebration of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day), marking the 150th birth anniversary of the leader who unified a once-divided subcontinent into a single nation. Writer Farheen M noted that the message of unity extended far beyond India’s borders, resonating across the Gulf, where inclusion and shared destiny are part of daily life.
“For hundreds of years, the Gulf and India have been bound by faith, culture, and trade,” the article observed. “In the present time, this historic connection has evolved into a partnership of progress. More than nine million Indians live and work in Gulf nations—in hospitals, classrooms, ports, start-ups, and boardrooms—embodying the spirit of hard work, inclusivity, and loyalty that Patel envisioned for India.”
The report highlighted how Indian professionals and workers have become active contributors and stakeholders in the Gulf’s transformation, participating in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 megaprojects, the UAE’s futuristic skylines, and Oman’s community initiatives. It pointed out that Gulf nations’ commitment to harmony—through programs such as the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’ and Oman’s interfaith outreach—mirrors India’s own ethos of unity in diversity.
“Modern India’s story is a living testament to the power of unity,” the article stated. “A nation of 1.4 billion people, hundreds of languages, and every major religion of the world, India’s diversity has not divided it, it has driven it forward.” This same spirit, the report added, underpins India’s initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, and Viksit Bharat 2047—reflecting inclusive growth that aligns closely with the Gulf’s model of modernization balanced by cultural continuity.
Commemorations of Ekta Diwas this year extended beyond the Statue of Unity in Gujarat to community events organized by Indian missions and diaspora groups in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat. Activities such as ‘Run for Unity’ campaigns and cultural festivals underscored how India’s sense of unity transcends geography, carried by citizens who embody resilience, adaptability, and harmony wherever they go.
“In an era of global polarization, Ekta Diwas offers a message that resonates across borders: unity is not sameness, it is strength through diversity,” the article concluded. “Together, India and the Gulf are shaping a new global model of cooperation—pragmatic, peaceful, and people-centric.”
Echoing Patel’s timeless words, the report reminded readers: “Every citizen of India must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain duties.” From Ahmedabad to Abu Dhabi and New Delhi to Dubai, the message of Ekta Diwas, it said, remains clear—unity is not only India’s heritage but also its greatest export, proving that harmony can drive prosperity and light the path toward a more cooperative world. (Source: IANS)
