New Delhi: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had united the country by integrating numerous princely states within just 1,218 days of Independence, achieving what many considered impossible, Union home minister Amit Shah said Saturday while flagging off ‘Run for Unity’ to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Patel, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).“Ever since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, Patel’s birth anniversary had been observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas,” Shah said. “Patel had not only shaped the geographical boundaries of a united India, but also worked towards its political and cultural integration.”The world had predicted that India would disintegrate after Independence, but Patel had succeeded in bringing princely states together, said Shah. “India’s linguistic, cultural and traditional diversity was its strength, not a weakness, and the country had built a shared national identity over the past 80 years.” Shah also administered Unity Pledge to participants.Lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, chief minister Rekha Gupta, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union ministers of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar were also present at the event organised at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.Highlighting “major achievements” during Modi govt’s tenure, including the abrogation of Article 370, the eradication of Naxalism and the implementation of a unified tax system, Shah said the country got rid of Naxalism on March 31 and was now moving towards becoming a “drug-free nation”.Calling a drug-free India essential to the vision of a Viksit Bharat, Shah said “achieving this goal would be among the most significant contributions to the country’s youth and future”.He also referred to the reconstruction of Somnath Temple, saying Patel had envisioned it and the move represented civilisational and national resurgence. Initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, he said, are guiding the country towards becoming one of the world’s leading economies.Shah alleged that attempts were made to erase Patel’s legacy but his contribution could not be suppressed. He recalled that Modi, as Gujarat chief minister, had commissioned Statue of Unity to showcase Patel’s stature to the nation. “From that very location, PM took the salute at a parade of police forces from across the country, conveying a message of national unity,” he said.
