Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ in New Delhi to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
Addressing the gathering, Shah said Patel had transformed India’s history and geography by uniting numerous princely states after Independence, laying the foundation for a united nation.
He said Patel accomplished the task within 1,218 days of Independence, achieving what many leaders could not have done in their lifetimes.
Shah said India had become free from Naxalism on March 31 this year and was now moving towards becoming a drug-free nation.
The government has set a target of making India completely drug-free by December 31, 2029, he said, describing a drug-free society as the first step towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
He said the goal was particularly important for the country’s youth and future generations.
Citing key decisions taken during the Modi government’s tenure, Shah referred to the abrogation of Article 370, efforts to eliminate Naxalism and the implementation of a unified tax system.
Highlighting India’s diversity, he said the country’s linguistic, cultural and traditional differences were its strength and that dialogue, trust and inclusiveness had helped build a shared national identity.
Shah also described the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple as a symbol of civilisational and national resurgence, noting that Patel had envisioned the project.
He said initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ were helping the country strengthen its position among the world’s leading economies.
The Home Minister said Patel had not received adequate recognition for his contributions for several years. Referring to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, he said Modi had conceptualised the project and laid its foundation stone while serving as the state’s chief minister.
Shah said PM Modi would later take the salute at a parade featuring police forces from across the country at the same venue.
Shah also administered the Unity Pledge to participants. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Ministers of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar were among those present.
National Unity Day is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
PIB
