To commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also called the “Iron Man of India, India will mark National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31.
The day will provide “an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country”, as per a statement by the Home Ministry which also explains the significance of the day.
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On this day every year, the government conduct ‘Run for Unity’ to mark the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day was introduced in India by the government. PM Modi flagged off the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2014 on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.
In the first ‘Run for Unity’ in 2014, PM Modi had mentioned Sardar Patel’s unique contribution to the freedom struggle, the Prime Minister drew a comparison of the Sardar’s relationship with Mahatma Gandhi, to the relationship between Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
PM Narendra Modi had recalled the mantra of “Ek Bharat: Shresth Bharat” and said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel gave us “Ek Bharat” (United India), and we should all work towards creating “Shresth Bharat” (Foremost India).
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