Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 30 wished the country on the occasion of the 148th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel and said that “the next 25 years are the most important 25 years of this century for India.”
Addressing a National Unity Day parade near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar to commemorate the Rashtriya Ekta Divas, PM Modi said, “May this day further the spirit of unity and brotherhood in our society.”
The excitement of youth and bravehearts who had gathered to participate in the event is a big strength of the ‘National Unity Day’, the Prime Minister said.
In his address, the Prime Minister said, “In a way, the form of mini-India is visible in front of me today. The State is different, the language is different, the tradition is different, but every person present here is united. It is connected with a strong thread…”
He further said, “The events at the Red Fort on August 15, the parade on January 26 at Kartavya Path and the Unity Day Celebrations at the banks of Narmada have become the three powers of nation upliftment.”
Emphasising making India a developed country in the next 25 years, he said that the next 25 years are most important for our country.
Earlier this morning, PM Modi paid floral tributes to the Statue of Unity here on the birth anniversary of the country’s first Home Minister. The ‘Statue of Unity,’ dedicated to Sardar Patel, was inaugurated here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018.
The Prime Minister led the National Unity Day pledge for the integrity, unity, and security of the nation at the event commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
PM Modi witnessed the Rashtriya Ekta Divas (National Unity Day) parade, comprising marching contingents from the Border Security Force and the State police force.
A daredevil show by all women CRPF Bikers, women pipe band of BSF, choreographed programme by Gujarat women police, special NCC show, school bands display, fly past by Indian Air Force, showcasing of economic viability of vibrant villages, among others, was displayed in front of the Prime Minister on the occasion.
Later, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 160 crore.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister between 1947 to 1950. Born on October 31, 1875, in Gujarat’s Nadiad, Sardar Patel is credited with uniting all 562 princely states of the pre-independent country to build the Republic of India. He passed away on December 15, 1950.
Since 2014, October 31 has been observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. On this occasion, ‘Run for Unity’ is organised across the country, which sees participation by people from all walks of life.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on October 31 participated in the ‘Run for Unity’ on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Divas in Odisha’s Cuttack district. The marathon aims to invoke the feeling of peace and harmony among the fellow citizens of the country.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged the ‘Run For Unity’, in the national capital.
“On the occasion of Sardar Patel Jayanti, I extend my wishes for Unity Day…The entire country celebrates this day as Unity Day since 2014. We all know that after independence, the British left this country to disintegrate. At that time, our iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did the work of making the map of India by uniting more than 550 princely states into a thread of unity in a few days,” Amit Shah said.
A “Run for Unity” was organised by the Postal Department Vijaywada. Vijayawada Postmaster General DSV Ramana Murthy said, “By uniting more than 562 organisations, Patel said that caste integration will be stopped. He brought the people of the country together. His role in the freedom movement will not be forgotten.”
“Run for Unity” was flagged off in Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the 148th birth anniversary of the former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Addressing the occasion, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “I salute the icon of national unity, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on the auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary. When the country got independence in 1947, the then Government could not give him the post for the contribution made by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but in 2014, the Prime Minister honoured him”.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his words of gratitude towards the former deputy Prime Minister of India and his contribution to save the nation’s integrity and unity.
Addressing the occasion, Rajnath Singh said, “You all must have heard about the incidents related to Junagadh princely state and Nizamshahi. Sardar Patel merged these two princely states into India. Had the task of merger of Jammu & Kashmir been entrusted to Sardar Patel, the problem of Article 370 of the Constitution would not have arisen.”
“Had Sardar Patel not shown wisdom and determination at that time, today Indians would have required visa passport to go to Junagadh and Hyderabad. The role of Sardar Patel in making independent India one India was not allowed to be highlighted. Whereas Sardar Patel not only worked on One India but also built the ‘steel frame’ like civil services to run India.”, he added.
Earlier in the morning, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off “Run for Unity”, on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.
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