Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off countrywide celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as ‘National Unity Day’ from the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat, on Thursday.

Elaborate steps have been taken to organise run for unity in states across the country. In the national capital where pollution level has assumed an alarming proportion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to inaugurate the run for unity.

Modi will be present at the Ekta Diwas parade at Kevadiya near the Statue of Unity. He will later visit the technology demonstration site and then interact with civil service probationers at Kevadiya.

Modi will pay tribute to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity, before formally inaugurating events marking the birth anniversary of Patel. Modi in his 27 October Mann Ki Baat broadcast over All India Radio had exhorted people to take part in large numbers in the ‘Run for Unity’ with the goal of making ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’.

The Prime Minister said Sardar Patel’s birthday was being observed as National Unity Day since 2014. “This day imparts the message to protect unity, integrity and security of our country at any cost. On 31^st October, this year too ‘Run for Unity’ is being organised like the previous years. ‘Run for Unity’ is a symbol of unison, that the nation being united, is moving in one direction and collectively aims for –One goal! Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat!” a PMO note quoting Modi said here.

Modi has been underlining the importance of a ‘Fit India’ and a united India in his various public interactions. Appealing to the people to take part in the run of unity the PM said doing so would not only be good for mind, body and soul but also reflect the spirit of a ‘Fit India’.

The Prime Minister said by participating in the run for unity ‘we also find ourselves connected with Ek Bharat- Shreshtha Bharat! And so, not just our body, but our mind and value system get integrated with ushering unity in India to take India to loftier heights!”

To encourage large participation of people in the Run for Unity programme on 31 October, the government had launched a website runforunity.gov.in to ensure online registration of participants in the event.