Sidelights - Run For Unity Event at Rajpath, New Delhi

PM's arrival was greeted with slogans and cheers. 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' resounded everywhere.

PM led the chant of 'Sardar Patel amar rahe' before addressing the gathering.

PM dwelled at length on the unbreakable bond between Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel in his speech.

Run for Unity was flagged off by the PM. The enthusiastic crowd competed with each other to participate. PM came down from the stage to be among the people. PM also ran some distance to encourage the participants. People kept on pouring in the run long after he left.

Youth and children formed the most enthusiastic contingent among the runners.

Sports personalities including Olympics, Asiad and Commonwealth medal winners and cricketers drew huge applause from the crowd.

Illustrating India's Unity in Diversity, the Prime Minister said:

भाषा अनेक, भाव एक
राज्य अनेक, राष्ट्र एक
पंथ अनेक, लक्ष्य एक
बोली अनेक, स्वर एक
रंग अनेक, तिरंगा एक
समाज अनेक, भारत एक
रिवाज अनेक, संस्कार एक
कार्य अनेक, संकल्प एक
राह अनेक, मंज़िल एक
चेहरे अनेक, मुस्कान एक