Himachal Governor Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday paid tributes to Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 144th birth anniversary which observed as National Unity Day.
They also paid their tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, which was observed as Sankalp Divas on the Ridge.
Paying floral tributes to Sardar Patel at Secretariat Complex here, Thakur said that this day provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.
Thakur said it was because of Sardar Patel that today India stands united as he did the almost impossible task of merging about 562 princely states after India attained freedom. He said that Sardar Patel also did the task of forging a united India by successfully integrating the newly independent nation. His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet "Iron Man of India", he added.
The Chief Minister also administered ‘National Unity Pledge' to the officers and employees of the State Secretariat on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at The Ridge Shimla on her 35th death anniversary.