In yet another masterstroke to attract masses, BJP’s tech savvy prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is set to reach at over 1,000 locations simultaneously across India on Sunday using video-conferencing facility for a unique project ‘Run for Unity’. The project is a brain child of the Gujarat Chief Minister to mark 63rd death anniversary (December 15) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Main programme of the event will be organised at Vadodara in Gujarat, where Modi himself would remain present and flag off the run at 8.00 am. Before the start of the run, he would make a point to deliver inspirational speech via video conferencing to congregations of participants and spectators across the nation that includes 29 States and six Union Territories. The run —projected as mini marathon — has been designed ranging from 3 to 5 km as per the convenience of local organisers. Sources close to the development said that Modi’s speech would be less political and focused on good governance and importance of unity in the development of country.
In Gujarat, the event will be organised in 34 locations and it has been declared as the official State Government function. But in the case of other States, the Bharatiya Janata Party is organising the event in a big-way, said a senior official closely associated with the project. Already delegations headed by Gujarat Ministers comprising State Government officials and saffron party representatives have visited various States to promote ‘Statue of Unity’ project and for the collection of iron. The delegation is also promoting the mini marathon, which is aimed at spreading the message of world’s tallest statue project.
“Run for Unity will be the curtain raiser to the Statue of Unity movement. This unprecedented event will witness more than 15 lakh people running simultaneously across multiple locations in the country. This historic run will unite the country in paying fitting tribute to Sardar Patel, the Iron Man of India, who integrated 565 princely States with independent India,” he said adding that already, more than 16 lakh participants have been registered with us.
The project ‘Run for Unity’ is designed in such a way that anybody over the age of 12 can participate in the run. For senior citizens and families, the Unity March has also been organised at all locations. Also a special event has been organised for physically challenged people. Sources associated with the project said that before the flagging off ceremony, a short film on Sardar Patel and the world’s tallest ‘Statue of Unity’ will be shown to all the participants as well as spectators across the country. Subsequently, Modi will address through video conferencing in order to encourage people for the unity of nation and finally run will begin.