The Run for Unity was flagged off today, observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, from Noida Stadium in Sector 21A. It saw residents participating from both Noida and Greater Noida in great numbers.
This day (October 31st) also coincides with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and this year is his 143rd birth anniversary.
Nearly 2,000 people took part in the marathon, including schoolchildren, former servicemen and many senior citizens.
Before the race was flagged off, Mahesh Sharma took a pledge along with the participants to follow the path laid out by Sardar Patel and to maintain the unity of the nation.
Local MP Mahesh Sharma and Noida MLA Pankaj Singh, chief guests for the marathon, also took part in the run.
Speaking to City Spidey, Pankaj Tripathi, a resident of Sector 77, and a participant, said, “This marathon is a way of paying respect to Sardar Patel. Such runs also encourage fitness besides encouraging camaraderie.”
The marathon was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
