Sardar Patel's ideals an inspiration to all: SP

Tirupati: Rich tributes were paid to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the first Home Minister of Independent India, on the occasion of his 144th birth anniversary, which is observed as Ekta Divas, here on Thursday.

Marking the occasion rallies and meetings were held. Students were administered pledge to uphold national unity and integrity. The programmes were held in Tirupati and other places in Chittoor district.

In Tirupati, Urban SP Dr Gaja Rao Bhupal flagged off `Run for Unity' at SV University area in which police personnel and others participated. SP, after paying floral tributes to the portrait of Patel in DPO, said that the life of Sardar Patel who was mainly responsible for bringing the 600 princely states into Indian Union is source of inspiration for all and the youth should follow his steps for protecting the national unity, integrity and security.

He also administered the pledge to the police men on the occasion. In Sri City, the NSS volunteers and students of IIIT held a `5 K Run' on the occasion of Ekta Divas to mark the birth anniversary of Patel. NSS Coordinator Tulasi Das and others participated in the programme.

Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidaypitha (RSVP) teachers and students also paid rich tribute to Patel at a meeting held in the campus. Vice Chancellor eV Muralidhar Sarma administered the unity pledge to the students and teachers. National Unity Day is also observed in TTD run Sri Venkateswara Vedic University and also in BJP district office here.