AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off the Run For Unity in New Delhi to mark the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
A large number of people, including sports personalities like Sardar Singh, Deepa Karmakar, Suresh Raina and Karnam Malleswari participated in the Run.
The Prime Minister also administered the unity pledge to thousands of children gathered at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium for the run.
Several programmes are being organised across the country on this occasion.
Earlier, speaking at a function at the Stadium in New Delhi, Mr Modi said, the country can never forget the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in nation building.
He said, Sardar Patel used all means and succeeded in uniting all princely states into a single nation within a very small span of time. Mr Modi said, generation of Indians will continue to remember Sardar Patel, particularly the youth, who will carry forward his legacy.
The Prime Minister said, in some countries, people of the same faith are even not ready to tolerate each other but in India, there is diversity yet all are united.
Mr Modi said, India must remain united and it is the responsibility of the 125 crore people to ensure its unity and integrity.
Mr Modi also appealed to the people to resolve to make New India when the country will celebrate its 75th anniversary of Independence in 2022.
Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said appealed to the people of the country to resolve for Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Sardar Patel at Patel Chowk in the national capital this morning and offered floral tributes at his statue.
Sardar Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, is credited with integrating more than 500 princely states and laying the foundation of a strong nation.
The day is observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to foster and reinforce the government’s dedication to preserve and strengthen unity of the nation.