Union Home Minister Amit Shah, inaugurated the ‘Run for Unity’ event in New Delhi today as part of National Unity Day, celebrated annually on October 31 to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. This year’s event saw participation from numerous dignitaries, including Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinay Kumar Saxena.
The ‘Run for Unity’ was first initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to honor the legacy of Sardar Patel, who played a pivotal role in uniting over 550 princely states into modern-day India post-independence.
Addressing the gathering, Shah reflected on Sardar Patel’s indispensable role in establishing India’s unity and integrity and reiterated the commitment to build a fully developed India by 2047. He added that the ‘Run for Unity’ has evolved into a national pledge, not only for unity but also for India’s development and global leadership.
Shah highlighted the significant impact of Sardar Patel’s leadership, describing how the “Iron Man of India” laid the foundation for a strong, united nation that today aspires to lead globally. “Sardar Patel’s decisive action and vision made it possible for India to emerge as a unified and powerful country on the global stage,” Shah said. “Today, we continue to build on that legacy, with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India.”
Shah also expressed regret over Sardar Patel’s delayed recognition, noting that he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna many years after his passing. He acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to keep Patel’s memory alive through the construction of the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, in Kevadia, Gujarat, as a tribute to the leader’s enduring legacy.
Emphasizing the importance of Patel’s principles, Shah urged the youth to draw inspiration from his ideals, which he believes are a guiding light for India’s future. He called on the people of India to strengthen national unity through their participation in the ‘Run for Unity’ and to contribute to the vision of a fully developed India by 2047.
