UP To Hold Statewide 'Run for Unity' On Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary, Launch 150 Km National Unity March

On the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and India’s ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a grand ‘Run for Unity’ will be organised across Uttar Pradesh on October 31, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Sunday. The event will be jointly organised by the state government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to celebrate the spirit of national integration and unity.

Addressing the media, CM Yogi said that alongside the state-level event, a national initiative titled ‘Sardar @150 Unity March’ will take place from October 31 to November 26. As part of this campaign, five youths from each district, including sportspersons and artists, will participate in a 150-kilometre foot march from Sardar Patel’s birthplace, Karamsad, to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. The participants will travel by bus to the starting point via four key centres before beginning their journey on foot.

ALSO READ: Dehradun Becomes First District To Launch Special Help Desk For E-FIRs; 70 Cases Registered In Two Months

The Chief Minister stated that in every Lok Sabha constituency of the state, a three-day foot march covering 8-10 kilometres will be conducted, passing through all assembly constituencies. Before these marches, a series of public awareness programmes will be held, including essay and debate competitions, seminars, and street plays highlighting Sardar Patel’s role in uniting India.

Additionally, a ‘Drug-Free India’ oath ceremony for the youth, ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local for Global’ campaigns, yoga and health camps, and a statewide cleanliness drive will also be organised. During the marches, social and cultural organisations will hold garlanding and tribute ceremonies at the statues of Sardar Patel.

CM Yogi said that the campaign would also feature cultural programmes on nationalism and the distribution of certificates to participants. The initiative will be supported through platforms such as My Bharat, NCC, and NSS, with active participation from ministers, MPs, MLAs, and volunteers.

The celebrations will continue from October 31 (Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary) to November 26 (Constitution Day).

ALSO READ: Mumbai: Stray Dog Attacks Woman While Walking In Borivali West; Incident Caught On CCTV

Recalling Sardar Patel’s pivotal role in unifying India, CM Yogi said, “The India we see today is a result of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision and determination, through which he integrated hundreds of princely states into one nation. His leadership ensured that even those who opposed India’s unity, like the rulers of Junagadh and Hyderabad, eventually became part of the Republic.”

He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Unity Day has been celebrated every year since 2014 to honour Sardar Patel’s legacy.