Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, describing him as the architect of modern India whose wisdom and efforts laid the foundation for a unified and strong nation.
On the second day of his visit to Varanasi, the chief minister offered floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Maldahiya.
The minister added that today the entire country rededicates itself to the unity and integrity of the nation through the Run for Unity and the National Unity Day Pledge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' without naming it, and said that the party has ignored Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary.
Sardar Patel University came into existence 52 years after the setting up of the Himachal Pradesh University to enable the youth to get higher education.
Hours after bifurcation, PM Modi dedicated the decision to repeal Article 370 to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel whose dream was to unite Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
Noting that it took long 70 years to take that step ending special status to J-K, Amit Shah mentioned that Sardar Patel had managed to integrate over 550 princely states but Jammu and Kashmir had remained out.
PM Modi also thanked the citizens for their participation in 'Run For Unity' events held across the country on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Modi will be present at the Ekta Diwas parade at Kevadiya near the Statue of Unity.
Local forestry official Anuradha Sahu said the instruction had come from the state government 'for safety reasons as the tourist influx has increased' to the riverside edifice.
