On the142nd birth anniversary of the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 'Run for Unity' – a nationwide marathon at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi.
PM Modi slammed the previous government of trying to erase Sardar Patels’s legacy.
Today is Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, also the death anniversary of Former PM Indira Gandhi. I am really happy that the young generation of the country is participating actively in this ‘Run for Unity’....People tried to ensure the contributions of Sardar Patel is forgotten but the youth of India respects him and his contribution towards the building of our nation.Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. Popularly known as the 'Iron Man' of India, he was conferred with the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, in 1991 for his services to the nation.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Patel's statue located at the Parliament street and offered floral tributes.
The central government observes 31 October all over 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' to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
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 like Sardar Singh, Deepa Karmakar, Suresh Raina and Karnam Malleswari. Badminton player PV Sindhu, Captain of the Indian women cricket team Mithali Raj and hockey player Sardar Singh reportedly participated in the marathon.
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
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