New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday flagged off a run to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the national capital.
The ‘Run for Unity’, which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities, sports enthusiasts and personnel of central police forces among others.
The 1.5-km run in Delhi takes place at the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial. People wearing white T-shirts and bearing Patel’s photo assembled at the national stadium and India Gate roundabout for the run.
The flag off also saw the presence of Union ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hardeep Singh Puri, RK Singh, Kiren Rijiju, G Kishan Reddy, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and home secretary Ajay K Bhalla on the dais with the home minister.
Shah also administered a unity pledge to the participants of the run.
Earlier, the home minister visited Patel’s statue located at the the national capital’s Patel Chowk and offered floral tributes.
The central government observes October 31 across the country as a day of special occasion to foster and reinforce the government’s dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as a ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Modi government has been observing Patel’s birth anniversary as ‘Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day since 2014.
Patel was born October 31, 1875 at Nadiad in Gujarat. India’s first Home Minister, Patel is credited for merger of over 560 states into the Union of India.
As part of celebrations, various programmes are being organised across the country, recalling Sardar Patel’s contribution to unification of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending a special function being organised in Kevadia in Gujarat, where a giant statue of Patel is located.
PM pays floral tributes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue Of Unity here on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Thursday.
When the prime minister was offering floral tributes to Patel, flower petals were also showered on the world’s tallest statue by an Indian Air Force helicopter.
Patel’s birth anniversary is celebrated as “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas”.
During the day, the prime minister will also participate in the “Ekta Diwas Parade”, visit a technology demonstration site and interact with civil service probationers at Kevadiya.
Since 2014, October 31 is observed as the National Unity Day. The 182-metre-tall statue was inaugurated by Modi on the same date last year.
