NEW DELHI: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on Saturday, flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’, an event organized to celebrate the 140th Birth Anniversary of the first Union Home Minister of India Sardar vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Modi recalled the Iron Man’s efforts in bringing unity among the Indian states after the Independence in 1947.
Speaking at the ‘Run for Unity’ event, PM Modi said that the former Home Minister of India has never encouraged dynastic politics, unlike the current political leaders. He took a dig at the Indian National Congress party, alleging them of ‘family politics’.
Praising the services of Patel, the prime minister said that after Chanakya, it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who has struggled for the unity of the country.
Patel, worked for an united India after Independence when the princely states denied to surrender their kingdoms to the Government of India. Patel organized and marched several military operations against princely states who have opposed the GOI, to bring them under the Government rule.
It has to be noted that Sardar Patel is the man who had organized a military operation against the Nizam king, who refused to hand over the Hyderabad kingdom even after the independence of India.
Saturday will be celebrated as the National Unity Day across the country, with the Union Ministers attending the celebrations in various states of India.
Addressing the return of the national awards by the writers, PM Modi said India is bound by the principle of Unity in diversity and any problem which arises must me solved peacefully. “Unity, Peace and harmony should be our mantra as these are the principles which can make our country to excel globally”, he said.
Prime Minister Modi announced the development of a new scheme by the Central Government, named ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India)’. Under this scheme which is still under evaluation stage, a state will choose any other state each year and will promote their language and culture. “The intention behind this scheme was to promote national integrity and unity. we are all Indians though we are separated by vivid religions and cultures” the PM added.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister offered tribute to the former Home Minister Patel and the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who was assassinated on the same day. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and other union cabinet ministers were also present along with the prime minister at the site.
