Sardar Patel's Contribution For India's Unity Cannot Be Forgotten, Says PM Narendra Modi: Highlights

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the 'Run For Unity' at Rajpath in Delhi on 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel today. The day is being celebrated across the country as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day).

Here are the highlights:

• The Prime Minister paid floral tributes at Sardar Patel statue on Parliament Street at 7.30 am.
• As we are commemorating Vallabhbhai Patel, we also remember Indira Gandhi this day
• We cannot forget Sardar Patel's contribution to the unity of the country.
• Few others in this country who had more than one title, he (Sardar Patel) was known as both 'sardar' and 'loh purush'
• Soon after freedom... worked with princely states during his tenure. Thats why he's remembered from Kashmir to Kanyakumari
• When British left India, they left India divided. It was Sardar Patel who kept the country united.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's ideology and heritage can not be forgotten. He contributed immensely to India's unity
• After Chanakya, it was Sardar Patel who strung India together with unity
• Jisne "Ek Bharat" diya, unke liye hume "Shreshth Bharat" banana zaruri hai, kadam se kadam mila kay chalna zaruri ha
• It's our responsibility to ensure we are united and we stay united.
• Sardar Patel was the skilled administrator
• Sardar Patel started cleanliness drive when he was mayor in Ahmedabad. He ran the campaign for 222 days.
• He set up Bal Gangadhar Tilak statue at Victoria Garden.
• We talk of women's empowerment today but at Sardar Patel then proposed 50 per cent reservation for women
• This effort went on under strict eye of Sardar Patel and it was Gandhi ji (Mahatma Gandhi) who noted and  appreciated the effort
• He also ensured that he didn't indulge in dynastic politics. No family name or members are linked to his legacy
• Keeping in mind Sardar Patel's efforts towards unity, We are planning to start the scheme "Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat"
• "Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat" once implemented will be states recognising and learning about another state's culture & language
• Under this scheme, if Haryana pairs with Tamil Nadu, then school students will also be taught about Tamil culture & language a period
• PM Narendra Modi flags off "Run For Unity" at Rajpath