Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

20,000 people 'Run For Unity' on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary

modi-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand | PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 'Run For Unity' at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi on 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is being celebrated across the country as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day).

Modi recalled the contributions made by Patel to the integration of India and said that Patel's "monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten." He also spoke about the role played by Patel in India's freedom struggle.

Noting that "run for unity is our bid to honour dream of one India," the PM said, "Sardar Patel cannot be wiped out from our nation's legacy."

"People tried to ensure the contribution of Sardar Patel is forgotten. But the youth of India respects him and his contribution towards the building of our nation," Modi, who administered the pledge of unity said.

The PM also expressed happiness over the participation of youngsters at the event.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke on the occasion, said, "We will work towards building a new India, and this is what our pledge should be."

Earlier, the prime minister remembered Sardar Patel's monumental contribution to India and tweeted, "We salute Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten."

Prime Minister Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel.

Prime Minister Modi, in his recent monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio broadcast, had paid his tribute to Sardar Patel, saying that he laid the foundation of a "modern, united India".

"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ensured that millions of Indians were brought under the ambit of one nation, one constitution and his message of unity and patriotism was an inspiration for New India," the prime minister had said in the 37th episode of his radio programme.

(With agency inputs)

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