Vallabhbhai Patel anniversary live updates: PM Modi flags off Run for Unity, says Sardar is in the soul of India

PM Modi along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, cricketer Suresh Raina, Olympian Dipa Karmakar, Hockey player Sardara Singh flagging off the Run for Unity in Delhi. (Source: PIB India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off ‘Run for Unity’ to mark the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in New Delhi. Addressing the event, PM Modi said that Sardar Patel lives in the soul of India and that the massive participation in the Run for Unity shows that youth remembers him and his contributions both before and after Independence.

Earlier, taking to Twitter, the prime minister paid tribute to the leader for his “momentous service and monumental contribution” to the country. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah will attend the run for unity event in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

The marathon was first started by the Gujarat government in 2013, when Modi was the chief minister. It is now organised across the country.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel anniversary live updates

9:48 am: The Run for Unity today saw massive participation in Delhi, with people reaching Major Dhyan Chand stadium in early morning.

9:33 am: BJP President Amit Shah flagged off the Run for Unity event in Shimla of Himachal Pradesh.

9:31 am: Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said that had Sardar Patel been alive, solution to Kashmir issue would have been achieved long back. He added, “Sardar Patel had warned Jawaharlal Nehru many times to be wary of China but he never paid heed to it.”

9:30 am: Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on this occasion said, “With his iron will, Sardar Patel united the many princely states of India after Independence.”

9:22 am: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi remembered Sardar Patel and said that embodiment of integrity & strength, Sardar Patel was one of the architects of Idea of India.

9:15 am: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised a cycle rally in Jammu & Kashmir to mark the day.

9:12 am: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley remembering Patel said let us restate our pledge for Rashtriya Ekta.

9: 07 am: People from all walks of life are participating in the Run for Unity event throughout the country.

9:05 am: Cricketer Suresh Raina who was at the Dhyan Chand Stadium said Sardar Patel was the architect of modern India.

9:02 am: Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Y S Chowdary remembering Sardar Patel said, “His life is an inspiration for us to try to live by his ideals, achieve a strong, just, prosperous, great India of his dreams.”

9:00 am: Run for Unity is being organised throughout the country, former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel flagged off the Run for Unity in Ahmedabad.

8:00 am: PM Modi flanked by sporting icons Suresh Raina, Dipa Karmakar, Sardara Singh flags off the Run for Unity in Delhi.

7:58 am: PM Modi concludes his speech at Run for Unity event.

7:44 am: PM administers the pledge on the occasion of Ekta Diwas, says people should pledge to work for wellbeing, safety and security of the nation.

7:40 am: PM targets opposition and previous government and says that they ignored the legacy of Sardar Patel.

7:38 am: PM said that at a time when some people are forcing the world into Chaos and violence India is proud to adopt multi-culture traditions from around the world. Its diversity is its greatest asset. 

7:33 am: Remembering the Iron Man of India, PM said that the country is proud of his contribution in making India what it is today, both before and after India attained freedom.

7:32 am: PM said that Sardar Patel is in the soul of India and that he inspires the youth every day.

7.30 am: Flagging off the Run for Unity event, PM Modi said, “I am really happy that the young generation of the country is participating actively in this ‘Run for Unity.”

7:15 am: PM Modi reaches Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to flag off Run for Unity to mark Ekta Diwas. PM was welcomed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

7:08 am: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu pay floral tribute to Sardar Patel on Ekta Diwas.

7:05 am: PM Modi remebering Sardar Patel said, “His momentous service and monumental contribution to India can never be forgotten.”

7:00 am: PM Modi pays floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary.