Flagging off the “Run For Unity” on the occasion of Sardar Patel Jayanti, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today recalled the mantra of “Ek Bharat: Shresth Bharat” and said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel gave us “Ek Bharat” (United India), and we should all work towards creating “Shresth Bharat” (Foremost India). He was addressing gathering at Rajpath in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister referred to Sardar Patel Jayanti as an inspirational moment, and said a country that forgets history, cannot create history. He said India`s glorious heritage will always be an inspiration for its aspirational youth. He reminded the people that India`s rich heritage can never be divided on ideological lines. He remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, noting that today was her death anniversary.
Mentioning Sardar Patel`s unique contribution to the freedom struggle, the Prime Minister drew a comparison of the Sardar`s relationship with Mahatma Gandhi, to the relationship between Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The Prime Minister also spoke of Chanakya`s vision of a united India, and said the Sardar had, through his strategic foresight, converted that dream into reality.
On India`s unity in diversity, the Prime Minister said this diversity gives us strength. He said India`s people should always be vigilant to guard this unique strength of unity in diversity. He regretted that thirty years ago, India`s fabric of unity in diversity had been attacked, as one specific community had been targeted.
The Prime Minister administered the pledge of unity to the assembled people and later flagged off the Run For Unity. Even as he exhorted people to begin the run, the assembled youth enthusiastically waited for the Prime Minister to lead the run. Eventually, the Prime Minister led the Run For Unity.
