Uttar Pradesh to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with march, unity programs

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday, October 12, said a series of statewide programs will be organized across Uttar Pradesh to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

According to a press statement, as part of the nationwide celebration, the “Sardar@150 Unity March” will be held from October 31 to November 26. From each district of the state, five youth representatives, including athletes and artists, will participate in the event.

These participants will travel by bus to Karamsad in Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, via four major centres, and then join the 150 km national march from Karamsad to Kevadiya, home of the Statue of Unity.

Thousands of youth from across the country will participate in this march to spread awareness about the initiatives of National Unity and Jan Jagran Abhiyan.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, the Chief Minister said, “A three-day march will be organized on the occasion, touching different assembly constituencies in each of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.”

Apart from the march, several local level programs will also be organized to promote awareness about national integration. These include essay and debate competitions, seminars and cultural performances on Patel’s life.

The Chief Minister said the youth will also participate in the Drug Free India Pledge and Swadeshi fairs and trade fairs will be organized in all 75 districts to promote local products and the “Vocal for Local” campaign.

Health camps, yoga sessions and cleanliness drives will also be part of the week-long programme. The Chief Minister said local committees and social and cultural organizations will organize floral tribute ceremonies, street plays and tribute ceremonies at Patel’s statues to reaffirm the spirit of united India and self-reliance.

Adityanath said the initiative seeks to commemorate Patel’s legacy as the chief architect of modern India, who played a decisive role in integrating more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patel’s birth anniversary is celebrated as National Unity Day across the country since 2014,” he said.

He said that BJP has also been organizing Run for Unity every year to honor his legacy.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on October 31, 1875, was a freedom fighter and political leader who played an important role in the country’s independence movement and later served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.