National Unity Day marked by series of runs and walks in Karnataka

The National Unity Day or the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’, held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was marked by a series of runs in the region on Friday.

‘Run for Unity’, as they were titled, was a tribute to Sardar Patel who was instrumental in the integration of about 560 princely States with the Union of India.

In Mandya, 250 police personnel took part in the ‘Run for Unity’ event. The run commenced from the office of the Superintendent of Police, covered Sanjay Circle, Mahavir Circle, V.V. Road, and 100 ft Road, before ending at the District Armed Reserve police grounds.

Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said though the country attained independence in 1947, there were multiple princely States with different laws governing them at that time. It was a challenge to integrate and unify them with the Union of India and usher in a common law to govern the country, he added.

In Mysuru, the event was held under the joint auspices of the Central Bureau of Communication, the Department of Information and Public Relations, NSS unit of St. Philomena’s College, and other entities. Field publicity officer S.T. Shruthi, students and staff of the college, NSS volunteers, and others participated in the event and took a pledge to uphold the unity of the country.

The Mysuru division of the South Western Railway held a Unity Walk to mark the occasion. The walk commenced from Chamundi Club and ended at the Mysuru Railway Station. Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager; Shammas Hameed, Additional Divisional Railway Manager; and others took part in the walk along with all branch officers, RPF personnel, and staff of various departments.

The city unit of the BJP also conducted a walk and paid tributes to Sardar Patel describing him as the ‘Iron Man of India’. T.S. Srivatsa, MLA; L. Nagendra, former MLA; and others were present.