PM Modi Calls on Citizens to Join ‘Run for Unity’ Celebrating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Birth Anniversary

New Delhi | October 27, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged all citizens to participate in the upcoming ‘Run for Unity’ on October 31, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — the architect of India’s political and territorial integration. Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Join the Run for Unity on 31st October and celebrate the spirit of togetherness! Let’s honour Sardar Patel’s vision of a united India.” The annual event is organised nationwide to reinforce the message of unity, strength, and national harmony that Patel stood for. During the 127th episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, aired on Sunday, PM Modi paid heartfelt tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, describing him as one of the greatest visionaries and reformers in India’s modern history. “Sardar Patel was among the nation’s tallest leaders. His life exemplified strength, wisdom, and dedication. He was an outstanding student who excelled both in India and abroad, later becoming one of the most accomplished lawyers of his era,” Modi said. The Prime Minister reflected on Patel’s early years in public service, particularly his tenure as the head of the Ahmedabad Municipality, where he championed cleanliness, civic reforms, and transparent governance. Modi said Patel’s commitment to efficient administration and people-centric policies continues to inspire today’s governance model. Highlighting Patel’s immense contribution to post-independence India, the Prime Minister noted that the country would forever remain indebted to him for his crucial role as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. “Sardar Patel’s vision and decisiveness helped bind together a fragmented nation. His leadership ensured that India emerged as a strong, united country after the trauma of Partition,” he remarked. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced plans to mark Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary with ‘Run for Unity’ events across Uttar Pradesh and several other states. The initiative, held annually since 2014, aims to remind citizens of Patel’s enduring legacy and the importance of national solidarity. Revered as the “Iron Man of India,” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a pivotal role in uniting 565 princely states that were left to decide their own fate at the time of Independence. The British, through the Indian Independence Act of 1947, had sought to fragment India by allowing these states the option of remaining independent or joining Pakistan. However, through his diplomatic skill, political foresight, and unyielding resolve, Patel persuaded or integrated all but three states into the Indian Union within a year. Patel’s legacy lives on through the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity — in Gujarat’s Kevadia, which was inaugurated by PM Modi in 2018. Standing at 182 metres, it symbolizes Patel’s role as the unifier of India and serves as a reminder of his vision for an indivisible nation built on strength, inclusivity, and harmony. As the nation prepares for this year’s Run for Unity, the Prime Minister’s call reiterates the spirit of collective participation and shared responsibility in safeguarding India’s unity — a dream Sardar Patel envisioned and one that continues to define the nation’s democratic identity. PM Modi Invites Citizens to Join Run for Unity Honouring Sardar Patel Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to participate in the Run for Unity on October 31, commemorating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. Calling Patel the architect of India’s unity, Modi highlighted his efforts in uniting 565 princely states after Independence. During his Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister said Patel’s legacy continues to inspire the nation toward strength and solidarity. The nationwide run will celebrate his vision of a united India, reminding citizens of his enduring contributions as the Iron Man who laid the foundation for a strong, integrated nation.