Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off a run to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel here.
The 'Run for Unity', which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities like Sardar Singh, Deepa Karmakar, Suresh Raina and Karnam Malleswari.
Taking a jibe at Congress, Modi said the previous governments ignored Patel's legacy of nation building.
"Patel's legacy was ignored by governments. The role of Sardar Patel was not introduced to the new generation of the country. Either an attempt was made to erase their contribution from history or an attempt was made to minimize it. Whether a political party accepts him grandfather or not, the country's youth will not allow him to be forgotten. The country's first President, Rajendra Prasad, also expressed his pain at an attempt to forget Sardar," the Prime Minister said before flagging addressing the massive gathering at Dhyan Chand Stadium.
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The 1.5 km run here came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial.
Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Patel's statue located at the Parliament street and offered floral tributes.
"We salute Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten," Modi said while flagging off the run.
The prime minister said 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.
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The central government observes October 31 all over the country as a day of special occasion to foster and reinforce the government's dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as a 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Several union ministers, senior officials and others also participated in the event.
Hockey player Sardar Singh said 'Run for Unity' is a commendable initiative to showcase country's unity and integrity.
Gymnast Deepa Karmakar said she was proud to be part of the run, which is being organised to remember the contributions of Patel in unifying the country.
(Inputs from agencies)
