New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off ‘Run for Unity’ to mark the 140th birth anniversary of the ‘Iron Man of India’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The event was attended by at least 15,000 people who ran to celebrate the day as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day).
PM Modi honoured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion.
“Saluting the Iron Man and the Architect of Modern India, Sardar Patel,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Saluting the Iron Man and the Architect of Modern India, Sardar Patel. pic.twitter.com/ZgYGaL5mcb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2015
He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.
Tributes to former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2015
The Minister offered floral tributes at Sardar Patel statue on Parliament Street along with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu.
PM Modi addressing the nation pitched about the contributions of Sardar Patel for India.
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s ideology and heritage cannot be forgotten. He contributed immensely to India’s unity. After Chanakya, it was Sardar Patel who strung India together with unity”, PM Modi said.
Prime Minister also talked about “Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat” which aims at sharing of inter-state languages and culture among states across India.
“Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat” once implemented will be states recognising and learning about another state’s culture & language,” PM Modi said.
“In 2016 every school in Haryana will have Tamil as a language. Every child will be taught Tamil songs, Tamil films will be screened. And the vice versa will be done in Tamil Nadu. Every year from now on for a whole year, both the states will learn from each other,” Prime Minister added.
Later, he flagged off the ‘Run For Unity’ event at Rajpath.