Chennai: Play an active role in ensuring India's unity, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Chennai: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called upon the youth to play an active role in ensuring the country remained united.

Flagging off the 'Run for Unity' here on Wednesday to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter and India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, she said “youngsters have turned up in good numbers today. They have to play an active role in the country remaining united.”

“We are attending the Run for Unity to mark the dedication of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue in Gujarat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was Patel's efforts that united 550 princely states to form India," she said.

Titled as the 'Statue of Unity," Patel’s statue measures 182 metre in height and it is said to be the "tallest" one in the world.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Nirmala Sitharaman said that this was the first time Sardar Patel’s birthday was celebrated in a grand manner across the Country.

She blamed the Congress for sidelining such a great personality who had toiled for a united and strong India.

The oath for unity was also administered to the participants at the event held at Island Grounds here. State Ministers D Jayakumar and S.P. Velumani, participated in the event.

A similar event was flagged off in Nagercoil in the State by Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan. More than 500 students enthusiastically participated in the run.