200,000 to join Modi run

Bangalore: To commemorate the 63rd death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, two lakh people are likely to participate in the “Run for Unity” event scheduled to be held across Karnataka on Sunday.

Former minister Murugesh Nirani, who is the state convener of iron collection committee for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue, told media persons here on Saturday that in Bangalore, about 9,000 people would participate in the event at Freedom Park.

The event would be conducted in 31 centers across the state as a mark of tribute to the late deputy Prime Minister. People have confirmed their participation by registering online, according to Sachidananda Murthy, co-convener of iron collection committee.

The iron collection committee would start gathering scrap iron pieces for the proposed statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from January 15 to 26, 2014. The committee has decided to collect one kg scrap iron pieces each from all the gram panchayats. The committee has a target of collecting five tonne scrap iron pieces from each district in Karnataka.

While collecting iron pieces from villagers, presidents and members of respective gram panchyats would be invited to take part in the programme. Iron, used only for agricultural purpose, would be collected. These iron pieces would be sent to district centers and from there, to the state head quarters, and then to Gujarat, Nirani added. 

Along with scrap iron pieces, soil would be collected from villages and sent to Gujarat for exhibition. Besides, an essay competition would be conducted for school children on the subject of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his achievements in public life, Nirani explained.