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PM Narendra Modi flags off Run for Unity, says Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel saved India from disintegrating

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 10/31/2017 4:08:41 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off the Run for Unity to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Delhi. Observed as Ekta Diwas, the day saw the run being organised in various parts of the country to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of the freedom fighter and former home minister of India.
Modi, addressing the event at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, said, “Sardar Patel is in soul of India and we salute Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten.” Flagging off the run, the prime minister added that everyone in the country is proud of Patel’s contribution to India before it attained freedom and during the early years after the nation became independent.


Flanked by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, cricketer Suresh Raina, hockey player Sardara Singh and Olympian Dipa Karmakar, Modi said that at a time when the country was at the heights of internal conflict and facing external aggression, Patel, with his skills, vision and his patriotism, not only saved India but also managed to unite hundreds of smaller princely states into one. Modi said, “The British government wished that India was disintegrated into smaller states. But Patel used all means (Sam, dam, dand, bhed, rajneeti, kutneeti) and succeeded in uniting all princely states into a single nation within a very small span of time.” PM Modi went on to urge the people to take a pledge to maintain the unity of the country and strive for the wellbeing of the society.