National Unity Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to freedom fighter and India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, at the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, on the occasion of his birth anniversary which is being celebrated as National Unity Day.
- Meanwhile, PM Modi, who is on a three-day tour to Gujarat and Rajasthan, decided to cancel his programs, including a roadshow to be held in Ahmedabad on Monday. The decision comes in the wake of the Morbi cable bridge collapse incident in which more than 132 people died so far.
- PM Modi will also visit Tharad town in Banaskantha district later in the day to inaugurate or perform ground-breaking for various projects in the parched region, mostly related to water supply, worth Rs 8,000 crore, according to government officials. Some of these projects include water distribution pipelines, construction of a canal and construction of 56 check dams.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to Patel in New Delhi.
- He said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel realised the dream of a strong and united India with his farsightedness, despite attempts by some forces to keep the country divided.
- Shah also said that in the next 25 years, India will be able to realise the dream of the country's freedom fighters of making India a strong and prosperous country and celebrate its 100th year of independence.
- He flagged off a run to commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of India's first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in the national capital.
- The 'Run for Unity', which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities, sports enthusiasts and personnel of central police forces.
- National Unity Day is celebrated every year on 31 October. It was initiated by the Modi Government in 2014.
- Patel's birth anniversary is observed as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day.
- Patel had a major role in the political integration of India.
(With PTI input)
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