"For years he was denied the honour": Amit Shah highlights Sardar Patel's legacy at 'Unity Run' in Delhi

New Delhi [India], October 29 : On the occasion of 'National Unity Day,' Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed participants at the 'Unity Run' event organised in Delhi on tuesday and underlined the importance of unity and the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
He expressed regret that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was often neglected by the Congress governments in the past. Shah said, "It is unfortunate that for years attempts were made to forget Sardar Patel. For years he was denied the honour of Bharat Ratna. But the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to keep the memory of Sardar Patel alive by installing the world's tallest statue in Kevadia, Gujarat."
Amit Shah underlined that the Unity Run symbolises a commitment to India's unity and the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). He noted that Prime Minister Modi initiated the Unity Run in memory of Patel to promote national unity. "This time, there is a Diwali festival on October 31. Therefore, it has been decided to organise the Unity Run on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras today, October 29, instead of October 31. On October 31, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to organise the Unity Run in memory of the great Sardar Patel for the unity and integrity of the country," Shah explained.
The 'Run for Unity' takes place on 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day) to honour Sardar Patel. Due to the Diwali celebrations, this year's event is held on October 29 instead of the traditional date. Amit Shah also said, "Today, when we all have gathered here for the Unity Run on Unity Day, this Unity Run is not just a resolution for the unity of India; now the Unity Run has also become a resolution for a 'Viksit Bharat.'"
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the 'Run For Unity' marathon is a symbol of integrity, adding that this run binds everyone together. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the 'Run For Unity' marathon in Ahmedabad on the occasion of 'National Unity Day' and remembered the country's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. "Two days later, when the birth anniversary of Pujya Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the sculptor and iron man of Akhand India, is being celebrated, a Run for Unity has been organised at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad today to pay tribute to this hero," Gujarat CM said.
The Chief Minister and all the runners took a collective oath to be dedicated to the unity, integrity, and security of the country at the start of this Ekta Run. "The birth anniversary of Sardar Sahib, the iron man and the architect of unity of the country, will be celebrated in a grand manner throughout the year with the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi," he said. He further stated that in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contribution to the political integration of India, National Unity Day is celebrated across India on October 31.
"This celebration has been started on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from the year 2014 under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi," he added. Chief Minister Patel emphasised that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel built a united India and that Prime Minister Modi has realised Sardar Sahib's dream of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.' "The Run for Unity is a symbol of integrity. Not only this, but this run also binds everyone together," he further added.