A large number of people from different walks of life participated in 'Run For Unity' marathons held in various places of Odisha to mark the 63rd death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
In the state capital Bhubaneswar, the run organised from Forest Park to Lingaraj Temple, was flagged off by former state police chief Amiya Bhushan Tripathy.
A galaxy of BJP leaders including state party unit President K V Singhdeo, Prasanna Kumar Mishra, Ashok Mishra, Samir Mohanty and Anil Dhir took part in the run, a brainchild of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Apart from political leaders, people belonging to different walks including youths and students participated in the marathon, part of 11,000 rallies held simultaneously in the country to spread message about national unity.
Speaking on the occasion, the leaders described Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as a symbol of national unity and main architect of modern India.
They said the run would strengthen unity, harmony and brotherhood among people.
Aimed at drumming support for the proposed project for construction of Patel's statue in Gujarat, the event was held elsewhere in Odisha too where a large number of BJP workers and others took part in the run.
