Guwahati:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation on Saturday in paying tributes to
Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, the country's first home minsiter on his 145th birth
Anniversary today.
PM Modi paid floral tributes at the Statue of Unity- world's tallest statue at 182 metre at Kevadia in Narmada district of Gujarat and witnessed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade.
Sardar Patel's birth anniversary is observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Also known as the Iron Man of India, Patel is credited for playing a crucial role in the integration of India from 560 princely states. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal also paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel at his statue at Patel Chowk in New Delhi this morning. On the occasion, Home Minister Amit Shah administered Unity Pledge to people.
PM Modi wrote in his tweet, "Humble tribute to Iron Man Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the pioneer of national unity and integrity.
BJP leader Amit Shah wrote " Salute to Sardar Patel Ji, an iron man who lives in the heart of every Indian. After uniting India scattered in hundreds of princely states after independence, he laid the foundation of today's strong India. India will never forget his steadfast leadership, national dedication, and great contribution."
Look Sabha speaker Om Birla stated in his tweet "With far-sighted thinking, Sardar Saheb systematised modern civil services. The country is moving on the path of development with peace, credit goes to his courageous leadership."
"I remember and bow before the country's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who shaped the country into a thread of unity on his birth anniversary. Today we all need to reiterate this resolve to dedicate oneself towards maintaining the unity, integrity, and security of the nation," Rajnath Singh wrote in his tweet.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary is observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31 every year. This year marks the 145th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India.
Patel is credited for playing a crucial role in the integration of India from 560 princely states. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.
Chief ministers of northeast took to twitter to pay their tributes to Sardar Patel.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal hoped that the "ideals of the iconic freedom fighter, mass leader and great administrator" would continue to lead the people towards building and strengthening the nation.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma saluted the
great leader and remembered his efforts towards nation building.