Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh government is set to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, by organising a slew of events across the state, including a ‘Run for Unity’.
From each district of the state, five youth representatives, including athletes and artists, will participate in this historic journey. These participants will travel by bus through four major centres to Karamsad, Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and then join a 150-kilometre national padayatra from Karamsad to Kevadia, home to the Statue of Unity. Thousands of youths from across the country will participate in this march, spreading awareness about national unity and the initiatives of the Jan Jagran Abhiyan.
Addressing the media on Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath outlined the detailed plan of the state-wide celebrations. He announced that a three-day padayatra, covering 8 to 10 kilometres, will be held in every Lok Sabha constituency, traversing all Vidhan Sabha segments. Ahead of the padayatra, various public awareness programmes will be conducted at the local level, including essay writing and debate competitions, seminars on the life and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, street plays, and symposia.
In addition, youth-centric initiatives such as a Drug-Free India pledge, the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local for Global’ campaigns, along with yoga and health camps, will be organised across the state. A special cleanliness drive will also be undertaken. During the padyatra, local committees, social organisations, and cultural groups will organise wreath-laying and tribute programs at statues of Sardar Patel.
