All you need to know about 'Sardar Patel National Unity Award'

On the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary on Thursday (October 31), the Centre will announce the first Sardar Patel National Unity Award. The day is celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) every year. The Centre had announced in late September of the institution of this award to honour citizens for their contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Patel. Here is a description of what this Award means and it's characteristics.

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What's the purpose of this award?

The Award seeks to recognise notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India. The Award would consist of a medal and a citation. No monetary grant or cash award would be attached to this Award. Not more than three Awards would be given in a year. It would not be conferred posthumously except in very rare and highly deserving cases.

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Who will confer it and who will decide the winner?

The Award shall be conferred by the President by a Sanad under his hand and seal and presented by him in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhawan. An Award Committee would be constituted by the Prime Minister and would include the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the PM, Secretary to the President, Home Secretary as members and three-four eminent persons selected by the PM. Nominations for the award will be invited every year. The Home Ministry has designed a special website where the applications can be filled. All citizens, without distinction of religion, race caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation, and any institution/organisation would be eligible for the Award. Any Indian citizen or institution (public or private) based in the country would be able to nominate an individual; self-nomination is also allowed.

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The medal

The award is made of fine silver and gold and will be in the shape of a lotus leaf, six centimeters in length, six and two centimeters at its greatest breadth and four millimetres in thickness. On its obverse, the medal is embossed with a replica of the lotus petals and words 'Sardar Patel National Unity Award' written in Hindi. The portrait of Sardar Patel will be embossed upon a circular shaped gold metal with a diameter of two centimeters and the state emblem and motto in Hindi will be embossed on the reverse. The miniature of the decoration which may be worn on certain occasions by recipients will be half the size of the award. A sealed pattern of the said miniature will be deposited and kept.

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