<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday flagged off the 'Run for Unity' to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the national capital.</p>.<p>The 'Run for Unity', which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities, sports enthusiasts and personnel of central police forces among others.</p>.<p>The 1.5-km run in Delhi takes place at the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial. People wearing white T-shirts and bearing Patel's photo assembled at the national stadium and India Gate roundabout for the run.</p>.<p>The flag off also saw the presence of Union ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Hardeep Singh Puri, R K Singh, Kiren Rijiju, G Kishan Reddy, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and home secretary Ajay K Bhalla on the dais with the home minister.</p>.<p>Shah also administered a unity pledge to the participants of the run.</p>.<p>Earlier, the home minister visited Patel's statue located at the national capital's Patel Chowk and offered floral tributes.</p>.<p>The central government observes October 31 across the country as a day of the special occasion to foster and reinforce the government's dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as a 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.</p>.<p>Modi government has been observing Patel's birth anniversary as 'Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day since 2014.</p>.<p>Patel was born on October 31, 1875, at Nadiad in Gujarat.</p>.<p>India's first Home Minister, Patel is credited for the merger of over 560 states into the Union of India.</p>.<p>As part of celebrations, various programmes are being organised across the country, recalling Sardar Patel's contribution to the unification of India.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending a special function being organised in Kevadia in Gujarat, where a giant statue of Patel is located</p>
<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday flagged off the 'Run for Unity' to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the national capital.</p>.<p>The 'Run for Unity', which began from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities, sports enthusiasts and personnel of central police forces among others.</p>.<p>The 1.5-km run in Delhi takes place at the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial. People wearing white T-shirts and bearing Patel's photo assembled at the national stadium and India Gate roundabout for the run.</p>.<p>The flag off also saw the presence of Union ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Hardeep Singh Puri, R K Singh, Kiren Rijiju, G Kishan Reddy, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and home secretary Ajay K Bhalla on the dais with the home minister.</p>.<p>Shah also administered a unity pledge to the participants of the run.</p>.<p>Earlier, the home minister visited Patel's statue located at the national capital's Patel Chowk and offered floral tributes.</p>.<p>The central government observes October 31 across the country as a day of the special occasion to foster and reinforce the government's dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as a 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.</p>.<p>Modi government has been observing Patel's birth anniversary as 'Ekta Diwas' or National Unity Day since 2014.</p>.<p>Patel was born on October 31, 1875, at Nadiad in Gujarat.</p>.<p>India's first Home Minister, Patel is credited for the merger of over 560 states into the Union of India.</p>.<p>As part of celebrations, various programmes are being organised across the country, recalling Sardar Patel's contribution to the unification of India.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending a special function being organised in Kevadia in Gujarat, where a giant statue of Patel is located</p>