PM to pay tributes to Patel at his statue & in Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay tributes to Sardar Patel at 'Patel Statue' and later in Parliament House on his birth anniversary on October 31, as part of week-long celebrations.
Modi will also release a Commemorative Stamp at a programme to be held at India Gate on the day, besides administering Ekta Pledge and flagging off the 'Unity Run', an official release said.
A Digital Film on the life of Sardar Patel will also be released by Modi at a programme to be organized by the Ministry of Culture at Pragati Maidan, it added.
"The Jayanti of the 'Iron Man of India' and 'Unifier of India' will be celebrated across the country for a week from October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel," the release said.

The Government last year decided to observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as 'Ekta Diwas'.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu held two rounds of discussions with union ministers today in this regard and firmed the activities to be undertaken during the week beginning October 31.

Union Minister Prakash Javdekar, senior officials of the Ministries of Urban Development, Information & Broadcasting, Home Affairs, Delhi Police, NDMC, Sports Authority of India attended the meeting.
In all the government offices, 'Ekta Pledge' will be administered on October 31. Essay writing, Elocution, Painting and Slogan writing competitions will be held in schools and colleges recalling Sardar Patel's contribution to unification of India, during the week till November 6, 2016.

All central ministers will visit different parts of the country during the week, garlanding Patel Statutes and holding public meetings.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also written to all the Chief Ministers suggesting to organise appropriate programmes recalling the life and works of Sardar Patel and use the occasion to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of the country, the release said.