Odisha CM, sand artist Sudarsan pay tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel on birth anniversary

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and internationally acclaimed sand artist from Odisha, Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 142nd birth anniversary

While the CM took to Twitter describing Patel as architect of unified India, Sudarsan paid tributes through a sand art at Puri sea beach with a message of 'RUN For UNITY'.

Remembering Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on birth anniversary. Nation will remain indebted to the architect of unified India pic.twitter.com/OWUwcl9ZJn

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 31, 2017

Tribute to Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. My SandArt with message #RunForUnity at Puribeach in Odisha . #RashtriyaEktaDiwaspic.twitter.com/GmtTz26GBV

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) October 31, 2017

On the other hand, a ‘Run for Unity’ programme was organized by various organizations at Patia Chhak in Bhubaneswar commemorating the birth anniversary of 'Iron Man' of India.

Students, sportsmen, professionals and common men and women from all walks of life joined the race. Union Minister Jual Oram flagged off the event. He said that Sardar Patel is to be credited for united India and he therefore symbolizes the unity of India. To mark his outstanding contribution, every year his birthday is celebrated as day of national unity, Minister Oram said while paying tributes to Sardar Patel.

Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of India, was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat.

Popularly known as the 'Iron Man' of India, he was conferred with the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, in 1991 for his services to the nation.