How Did the 'Sardar@150' Unity March Celebrate Patel's Legacy?
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New Delhi/Gandhinagar, Dec 6 (NationPress) The 'Sardar@150' Rashtriya Ekta Padyatra, held in honor of the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, came to a close on Saturday at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar. The march lasted 11 days and began at Karamsad, the ancestral village of the Iron Man.
During the closing ceremony, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan praised Patel's legacy, emphasizing the significance of national unity. Joined by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Governor Acharya Devvrat, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and other dignitaries, the event celebrated the ideals of unity, duty, and nation-building.
Radhakrishnan highlighted the participation of over 1.4 million youth in more than 1,300 padyatras across India, underscoring that the spirit of national unity ignited by Sardar Patel continues to motivate the younger generation. With almost 65% of India’s population being youth, he noted their unparalleled energy and potential.
The Vice President urged the youth to embrace discipline, reject drugs, and contribute to the vision of a strong, united India. He remarked that Patel's vision of a self-reliant India has gained momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Highlighting advancements in various sectors, he pointed to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a significant achievement for women-led development.
Governor Devvrat reminisced about the Bardoli Satyagraha, which established Patel as a national leader who united farmers against British taxation, earning him the title 'Sardar'.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel referred to this year, marking Patel's 150th birth anniversary, as a significant moment of national pride. He noted that the abrogation of Article 370 fulfilled Patel and Syama Prasad Mookerjee's vision of 'One Nation, One Law, One Constitution'.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the padyatra as a 'journey of ideas' that saw immense participation from youth and women, receiving support from local communities.
The National Unity March started on November 26 and traversed various regions before concluding at the Statue of Unity on December 6. Many public representatives, social organizations, and volunteers joined, reaffirming their commitment to a self-reliant and developed India.