Run for Unity: Rajnath Singh inaugurates marathon in Delhi on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ in Delhi to commemorate the birth anniversary of freedom icon Sardar Patel on National Unity Day.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore also flagged off the run from Major Dhyan Chand Stadium which saw almost 12,000 people, including 3,000 schoolchildren.

Delhi: #Visuals of #RunForUnity from near India Gate. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's #StatueOfUnity, the tallest statue in the world, will be inaugurated in Gujarat's Sadhu Bet on his 143rd birth anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/MPSx8VOnlq

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2018

Former Indian hockey player and Arjuna Awardee Zafar Iqbal, five-time World Amateur Boxing champion Mary Kom, artistic gymnast and Olympic medallist Dipa Karmakar were also among the dignitaries present at the run.

#Visuals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's #StatueOfUnity that will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister shortly. (Pictures Source- PMO) pic.twitter.com/7bSXlEVSm4

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2018

Before the commencement of the run, Singh took a pledge along with other participants to follow the path laid out by Patel and maintain unity in the nation. "Sardar Patel has and will always be seen as a symbol of unity," he said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flag off “Run for Unity” in Delhi on 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Gymnast Dipa Karmakar among other sportsperson also present. #StatueOfUnity pic.twitter.com/9emHGaemag

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the world’s tallest statue today in Gujarat. The Prime Minister will dedicate the behemoth to the nation.