On Sardar Patel's Birth Anniversary, Thousands 'Run for Unity'

'Run for Unity' is a marathon dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It encourages India to run together. On Sardar Patel's 143rd birth anniversary today, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore flagged off 'Run for Unity' in the national capital amid loud cheers of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Despite a thick blanket of haze that engulfed Delhi, nearly 12,000 people took part in the marathon. This included 3,000 school children, 300 ex-servicemen and a number of senior citizens.

One of the participants told news agency ANI that being part of the marathon was his way of paying respects to Sardar Patel, who sacrificed a lot for the nation.

Two women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, who were also participants of the marathon, said that 'Run for Unity' is not just a way of displaying unity, but also encourages fitness.

Before the marathon began, Mr Singh and the participants took a pledge to follow Sardar Patel's path and maintain unity in the nation.

The statue depicts Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, wearing a traditional dhoti and shawl, towering over river Narmada. Iron was collected from all over the country for the statue of Sardar Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India.The statue can withstand severe wind velocity and severe earthquakes.

"Sardar Patel has and will always be seen as a symbol of unity," Mr Singh said.

Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar and weightlifter Karnam Malleswari were also present at the event.

"I participated in Run For Unity last year as well. It's a day of extreme significance and I will try my best to witness the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Statue Of Unity," Ms Karmakar told news agency ANI.

In Odisha, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was seen participating in the marathon in Bhubaneswar, while Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off and participated in the 'Run For Unity' in Chennai.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the marathon in Guwahati.

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu administered the Ekta Pledge during the "Run for Unity" event in Gurgaon. He later shared pictures from the event on Twitter and wrote, "Administering the Ekta pledge to rededicate ourselves towards the service our motherland, taking the life and work of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as inspiration."

October 31 is observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas every year to coincide with the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The 'Run for Unity' was inaugurated last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a tribute to the national leader.

This year, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a 182-metre long statue that has been built as a mark of respect to the first home minister of India. The 'Statue of Unity', which is located in Gujarat's Sadhu-Bet Island, occupies over 20,000 square meters and is surrounded by a 12 square kilometre artificial lake.

"It is one of the greatest moments in my life today. Because of your blessings, I have been given the honour to be the one who dedicates this amazing statue to the nation," PM Modi said during inauguration.

The statue depicts Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, wearing a traditional dhoti and shawl, towering over river Narmada. Iron was collected from all over the country for the statue of Sardar Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India.The statue can withstand severe wind velocity and severe earthquakes.

(With Inputs from ANI)