Raksha Mantri Flags Off Run for Unity in Lucknow

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged off a Run for Unity in Lucknow today, as part of National Unity Day celebrations. Around 8,000 people, including children, NCC cadets, youth, sportspersons and running enthusiasts and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) personnel participated in the 1.5 km long run, from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Pratima, Hazratganj to K.D. Singh Babu Stadium. Shri Rajnath Singh also paid floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, remembering the Iron Man of India on his 148th birth anniversary.

Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri said that National Unity Day is an occasion to remember those who contributed to independence and nation building. He mentioned that on this National Unity Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching the Mera Yuva Bharat Abhiyan. Shri Rajnath Singh informed that that this initiative will give youth an opportunity to come forward and take part in nation building efforts. He called upon people to come forward for this program and work for national unity and integration. “National Unity Day gives us an opportunity to pledge ourselves to the unity of the nation and work towards buildinmera g Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” he said.

He highlighted the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in nation building in Post Independence India. Shri Rajnath Singh applauded the vision and diplomatic skills of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in ensuring integration of princely states with the Republic of India and other contributions such as building the steel frame of the Indian Civil Services. “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s efforts and contributions ensured the unity and integrity of India and while his role was not given due importance in the past, since 2014 our government has celebrated his birth anniversary as National Unity Day to change this. He also hailed Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative of establishing the Statue of Unity, the largest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel symbolizes the unity of India and his efforts are an Inspiration for youth to take the message of National Unity forward, Raksha Mantri said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath also led the gathering in a National Unity Pledge on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that on National Unity Day people forget their differences and come together to dedicate themselves to the nation. He added that the Run for Unity inspires us to commit ourselves to the call of nation first given by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the values of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He ended his address by expressing gratitude to HAL for organising the Run for Unity this year in Lucknow.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minster Brajesh Pathak, Chairman & Managing Director HAL Shri C.B. Ananthkrishnan, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State from the Uttar Pradesh government and officials from HAL, Central and state governments also attended the event.