New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid floral tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, celebrated in honour of the birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister.

"On the occasion of his birth anniversary, I pay homage to the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, a symbol of national unity, integrity, and the empowerment of farmers, on behalf of a grateful nation. Sardar Sahab strengthened the unity and security of the country by integrating the princely states and advanced the nation toward self-employment and self-reliance by connecting farmers, backward classes, and the deprived with cooperatives. His firm belief was that the axis of the country's developm...