Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near Parliament Street here on Friday morning. The Prime Minister also took to Twitter to hail Sardar Patel's service to the nation.
Collage students participate in the Ekta Bharat run in Nellore city during the Sardar Vallabhai patel birth anniversary (Photo: DC)
Indians all over have joined the run and have been showing their support by posting pictures and messages using the hash tag '#RunforUnity' on micro blogging apps. Seen here: A small group of NRIs who organised a unity run at Washington D.C.
NRIs from London, Belgium and even the United States, joined in the Run for Unity.
Many Modi followers and supporters across the globe also made their presence felt on social networking sites by posting pictures of their run.
Indians form different parts of the country, put on their sports shoes an hit the streets running this morning. Some even arranged for matching printed tee-shirts that they wore while they took part in the run.
Hundreds of supporters took to the streets with posters and placards, to show their support towards the PM and joined the Run For Unity.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh attended a 'Run For Unity' in Hyderabad and will also attend a passing out parade for officers of the IPS (Indian Police Service) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.
Prime Minister Modi also drew parallels between Patel and Chanakya. He said, "Centuries ago, Chanakya was known to have united various kingdoms. After Chanakya, it was Sardar Patel."
He also reminded the countrymen about India's legacy of Unity in Diversity and asked people to rise above differences. "Our culture and legacy is of 'Unity in Diversity'. Let us rise over differences of creed, community and language," he said.
Patel's contribution in converting over 500 princely states into one nation can never be forgotten, Prime Minister Modi said. "The British wanted to divide the country, but Sardar Patel, using his diplomatic and political skills, united India.
The 139th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel today is being celebrated as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day across the nation. The "Run for Unity" will end at India Gate on Rajpath.
President Pranab Mukherjee flagged off the 'Run For Unity' in the capital this morning.
"Sardar Patel joined Mahatma Gandhi and integrated farmers in the freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel... their bond remained unbreakable. Mahatma Gandhi seemed incomplete without Sardar Patel. Theirs was a unique partnership that
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 30th death anniversary. "I join my fellow countrymen & women in remembering former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi on her Punya Tithi," Modi tweeted.
Indians join 'Run for Unity' on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary