The Centre has drawn up an elaborate plan to mark the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel across the country on October 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in paying tributes to the country’s first Home Minister. State Governments, Central Ministries and PSUs have been asked to organise ‘Run for Unity’, digital exhibitions, drawing competitions while the Railways will put up hoardings with messages of Patel in 100 railway stations across the country. Patel was born on October 31, 1875, and passed away on December 15, 1950. October 31 is also the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
In a letter to Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of Urban Development and local Self Government of all States and Union Territories, Amrit Abhijit, Joint Secretary and Mission Director of Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry highlighted a detailed plan to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by the Urban local Bodies (UlBs) all over the country October 31.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister will offer floral tributes at Patel’s memorial here, followed by administering a pledge and flagging off the ‘Run for Unity’ on this day.
“UlBs may also be instructed to use the occasion to disseminate the message of “Swachhata” in order to sensitize the citizens about the importance of hygiene and sanitation in the national development,”the official letter said.
This occasion also provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity and integrity of our country,” the communiqué said.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has written to chief ministers and central ministers to observe the birth anniversary of Patel as a day to foster and reinforce the government’s dedication to strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation.
As per plan, the ministry of sports will organise the run in 623 districts with the help of 12 regional centres of the Sports Authority of India and the Nehru Yuvak Kendra. While the ministry of culture will host digital exhibition on Patel’s life and 44 painting exhibitions in various parts of the country, the external affairs ministry will show films, host exhibition and talks on Patel in Indian missions abroad.
The railway ministry will display banners and put up creative hoardings with Patel’s messages in 100 railway stations across the country. Similar programmes are being organised by the ministries of human resource development, health, steel, tourism besides others.
The 1.5 km ‘run’ in Delhi will start from the National Stadium, where a large number of people, including sports personalities like P V Sindhu, Mitali Raj and Sardar Singh, are expected to take part. The state governments have been asked to encourage college and school students to participate in the national unity day events. Around 15,000 people had participated in the event in Delhi last year and the number is expected to go up this year.