Bhubaneswar: The Sports and Youth Services Department celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Kalinga Stadium on Saturday to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attending the programme as the chief guest.
The Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and recalled his contribution to strengthening the unity and integrity of the nation.
Addressing the gathering, Suraj said Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the Unity March are organised every year to commemorate Patel’s birth anniversary. He urged people to draw inspiration from the leader’s ideals and work together to uphold national unity and contribute to the country’s development.
Referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Minister called upon people to contribute towards realising the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
On the occasion, Suraj administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge to participants. A Unity March was also organised, drawing participation from sportspersons, volunteers, students and social workers.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department, Bhupendra Singh Poonia, former MLA and social worker Priyadarshi Mishra, social worker and politician Golak Mohapatra, Jagannath Pradhan, Sudipta Ray and senior officials of the Sports and Youth Services Department were present at the event
