On the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 142nd birth anniversary, PM Modi lashed out at the previous government. The prime minister also flagged off a Run for Unity to mark the historic day.
Modi did not name Congress but stated, “People earlier tried their best to ensure that the contribution of Sardar Patel was forgotten and diminished. But the people and the youth of India respect him and his contribution towards the building of our nation.”
The prime minister stressed about unity and said, “The country that Patel has given, retaining its unity is the responsibility of all Indians. Using his skills and determination Sardar Patel saved India from the problems that emerged soon after Partition. He ensured India did not remain split into small princely states.”
Modi also made a special reference to the first President Rajendra Prasad and said, “His soul will be happy to know that Sardar Patel has not been forgotten.”
Today is also marked as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 33rd death anniversary.
The Run for Unity was a 1.5 km stretch from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi to India Gate. The event was attended by sports personalities like Deepa Karmakar, Karnam Malleswari, Sardar Singh and Suresh Raina.
The Central Government has marked Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary as “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” (National Unity Day) for the past several years.
