PM Modi flags off 'Run For Unity' march



NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the country "can't forget the contributions of 'Iron Man' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel towards the unity of our country."

Recalling Patel's political and social life on his 140th birth anniversary, Modi said that Patel never promoted any family member in politics. The PM took a dig at dynastic politics, saying it had become a bane of our political structure.

"After Chanakya, it was Sardar Patel who strung India together," PM Modi said before flagging off the 'Run for Unity' march in Delhi

Saturday is being celebrated as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day). Celebrations are being organised in various states as well, which will be attended by Union ministers. "Unity is our biggest strength... We have to move forward with the mantra of unity, peace and harmony," he said, against the backdrop of protests by artistes, writers and scientists over alleged "rising intolerance" after the Dadri lynching, the beef row and similar incidents.

"If the country has to move forward and attain new heights of development, then the first guarantee is.... Irrespective of our language and attachment of our feelings and ideology to any inspiration or system from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Atak to Cuttuck, if our goal is to take Mother India to new heights in the world, then the first condition for that is unity, peace and harmony.

"If 125 crore Indians with the mantra of unity, peace and harmony walk one step together shoulder to shoulder, then the country will move 125 crore steps in one go.

"Our strength is a nation bound together by unity and which can sacrifice everything for unity and this is the message of Sardar sahab," he said, recalling that Patel's life was dedicated to national unity.

The Prime Minister also announced that 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India)' scheme will soon be launched under which one state will choose another state each year and then promote its language and culture.

"I have formed a small committee which is preparing its modalities," he said. The event, which marks the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was attended by around 15,000 people.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister offered floral tributes at Sardar Patel's statue on Parliament Street. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, home minister Rajnath Singh and Union minister of parliamentary affairs Venkaiah Naidu were also present.

On Saturday, Modi also took a moment to remember former PM Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated on this day over three decades ago. "As we are commemorating Vallabhbhai Patel, we also remember former PM Indira Gandhi this day," the PM said.