Modi leads tributes to Sardar Patel on birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off off the 'Run for Unity' on the birth anniversary of the first deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in the national capital.

"The youth of India respects him and his contribution towards the building of our nation", the PM noted. Sardar Patel, who is also known as a symbol of Unity had successfully integrated the newly independent nation.

"The then Prime Minister did not give free hand to Sardar Patel in its efforts to consolidate national unity but in spite of that Patel did the miracle to integrate hundreds of princely sates in India without any bloodshed", he said.

Sardar Patel was bestowed with the country's highest civilian award posthumously in 1991, 41 years after his death in 1950. He also said after independence, Sardar Patel made sure that various parts of our country remained united and played a key role in integration of our states.

The 1.5-km run here came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial. "His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten", Modi said in a tweet.

The birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is being celebrated across the country as "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" (National Unity Day). Patel was a selfless leader who had shaped India's destiny with single-minded devotion, the vice-president said at an event to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of India's first home minister at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

"India's progress in various fields and its march as one of the major economies should not be allowed to be obstructed by anybody and every Indian should strive to uphold and strengthen country's unity and integrity", he said. "We have never ignored Sardar Patel's contribution", she said.

The Prime Minister said India's teaching of unity amid diversity is relevant in the global context especially at a time when the racial fights have become the order of the day in several countries.

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