National Unity Day: Amit Shah Leads Ekta Run, Recalls Sardar Patel’s Legacy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life continues to inspire young people through his sacrifice and patriotism.

Shah made the remarks while participating in the ‘Ekta Run’ in New Delhi on Patel’s 151st birth anniversary, observed as National Unity Day.

Addressing the gathering, Shah highlighted Patel’s role in national integration. He said India achieved an undivided identity under Patel’s leadership in just 1,218 days.

“Even if several leaders worked together, work that could not be accomplished in an entire lifetime was achieved by Sardar Patel in just 1,218 days, creating an undivided India. Today, the India shaped by Sardar Patel’s vision stands with pride before the world,” he said.

Shah urged citizens to help make India completely drug-free by December 31, 2029. He said the country had moved closer to eliminating Naxalism and tackling drug abuse by March 31 this year.

The Minister described a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ as the first step towards achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370 and efforts to eliminate Naxalism as key decisions under PM Modi. He added that PM Modi’s government began observing Patel’s birth anniversary as National Unity Day.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Bansuri Swaraj paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The Centre began observing October 31 as National Unity Day in 2014. The occasion promotes national unity, integrity and security through events such as the annual ‘Run for Unity’.

This year, Ekta Nagar will host another ‘Run for Unity’ in the evening. Prime Minister Modi announced the event in Banaskantha on Friday and urged young people to participate.

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