Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel, the country’s first home minister, at the ‘Statue of Unity’ at Kevadiya in Gujarat Thursday morning.
As the Prime Minister offered floral tributes, flower petals were showered on the world’s tallest statue by an Indian Air Force helicopter.
Later, he administered a pledge on national unity to a large gathering.
The Prime Minister also witnessed the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Parade’ by personnel of Gujarat Police and central armed forces.
The Prime Minister watched `Ekta parade’ in which personnel of the Gujarat Police, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force took part.
Mock drill demonstrations were conducted by the CISF, NDRF and National Security Guard. CISF personnel gave a demonstration of how to deal with terrorists at airports, while NDRF demonstrated rescue operations during earthquakes and gas leakage.
The NSG presented a demonstration of how to foil a terrorist attack.
Addressing the gathering at Kevadia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that we should, at all times, celebrate our diversity, and should participate in it whole-heartedly. He added this is the idea of One India, Great India and this is nation building.
Taking inspiration from Sardar Patel, Prime Minister said that we are working towards empowering the Emotional, Economic and Constitutional integration of India.
Prime Minister Modi said that we will defeat and fight every attack against the unity of India.
Prime Minister said that India’s greatness is in its Unity in Diversity, and India is known for ‘unity in diversity’. PM said that it is our pride and our identity.
Revered as the unifying force of newly independent India, prime minister said that VallabhBhai Patel’s contribution to the nation is monumental. The Prime Minister also shared a video signifying the freedom fighter’s pivotal role.