Odisha CM administers unity pledge, flags off ‘Run for Unity’ marathon on ‘National Unity Day’

Ahead of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, ‘Run for Unity’ Marathon was held by Odisha Sports and Youth Service Department in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off the programme from Kalinga Stadium. After giving the oath of ‘unity in the country’, CM Majhi himself ran in the marathon. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Ministers of different departments, MPs, MLAs and the Chief Secretary also took part in the event.

More than 2000 persons from different sports organisations and students of various schools also ran in the marathon.

The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is observed every year on October 31 as ‘Rashtriya Ekata Dibasa’. ‘Run for Unity’ programmes are organised every year on the occasion. However, as the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is coinciding with the festival of Diwali this year, ‘Run for Unity’ programmes are being organised today, October 29.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged people of the country to participate in ‘Run for Unity’ programmes in maximum numbers and along with the mantra of unity of the country, spread the mantra of fitness everywhere.

“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had played a great role for the unity and integrity of the country. By getting inspired by Sardar Patel’s ideology, we have to move forward to strengthen the country further,” said CM Mohan Majhi.

“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had a great role to play in uniting India. The country is going to celebrate the 150th birth day of Sardar Patel. With PM Narendra Modi’s call, ‘Run for Unity’ is being organised across the country,” said Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj.

“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had given the mantra of unity for India. The current geography of India was possible for Sardar Patel only,” said Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari.