Kevadia, October 31: On the occasion of the National Unity Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. PM Modi visited Statue of Unity in GujaratтАЩs Kevadia for paying homage to the first home minister of India on his 144th birth anniversary, after which he administered the тАЬunity pledgeтАЭ. He also┬аattended at the Ekta Diwas Parade.┬аSardar Vallabhbhai Patel Birth Anniversary: Powerful Quotes on Nationalism And Unity From India's 'Iron Man'.

Speaking at the event PM Modi said, тАЬ'Run for Unity' programme is being held in different cities and villages across the country today. I thank every citizen for participating in this program. India is known for 'unity in diversityтАЩ; it is our pride and our identity.тАЭ He further added that India emerged as a strong country because of the unity of people of India. PM Modi also dedicated the abrogation of Article 370 to Sardar Patel. Speaking at the event PM Modi said, "Article 370 only gave separatism and terrorism to J&K. It was the only place in the country where Article 370 was present, where in last 3 decades, over 40,000 people got killed and several mothers lost their sons due to terrorism."

Visuals of Ekta Parade:

Paramilitary forces including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guards and Gujarat Police commandos took part in the parade. A contingent from National Disaster Response Force also participated in the Ekta Parade. Band of Gujarat police played tunes of patriotic songs which enthralled the audience.┬аRashtriya Ekta Diwas 2019 Wishes in English: National Unity Day WhatsApp Messages, SMS, Patriotic Quotes And Greetings to Share on Sardar Patel's Birth Anniversary.

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off the "Run for Unity" from Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India. Since 2014, October 31 is observed as the National Unity Day and people participate in the тАЬRun For UnityтАЭ. Other states including Odisha and Haryana also organised this event.

Prominent personalities including President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal also paid tribute to First Deputy Prime Minister. On The 144th anniversary of Sardar Patel, state of Jammu and Kashmir has been officially bifurcated into two union territories тАУ Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh almost three months after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in the state. Patel was given the title of Iron man of India as he took bold steps to merge of over 560 princely states into the Union of India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 31, 2019 10:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).