The Uttar Pradesh government will be celebrating the 144th birth anniversary of first Union Home Minister Sardar Valabhbhai Patel on October 31 as National Integration Day with a ‘Run For Unity’ across the state.
Patel was born on October 31, 1875. In Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will lead the ‘Run for Unity’ from Sardal Patel statue at GPO (Hazratganj) to KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium.
In his tweet, Yogi appealed to people to take part in the run. “I appeal to you all, especially youth and schoolchildren, to participate in large numbers in this run to spread the message of Sardar Patel.”
“The run organised on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel ji provides all of us an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our great nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country,” the Chief Minister said in another tweet.
He further said: “This year, the Run is special as after 70 years, Jammu and Kashmir’s integration with Maa Bharati was complete with scrapping of Article 370.”
He also declared that the event will be orgasied across the state. A government order (GO) regarding Patel’s birth anniversary celebrations was also issues. Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi said the picture of Sardar Patel will be put up all across the state and all policemen will take a pledge of national integration across the state at 11 am.
“In Lucknow, the ‘Run for Unity’ will start at 8.45 am but in districts, DMs and SSPs should organise the run at 8 am. School and college students should actively take part in this event,” Awasthi said in his order. He said the state police should carry out a march-past through the main streets of the respective cities.