On theoccasion of the 144th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, SardarVallabhbhai Patel, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or the National Unity Day is beingobserved across the country on Thursday.

PrimeMinister Narendra Modi visited the 'Statue of Unity' at Kevadiya in Gujarat andpaid his tributes to Sardar Patel. Later, he will witness the 'Rashtriya EktaDiwas Parade' by personnel of Gujarat Police and central armed forces.

HomeMinister Amit Shah flagged off a commemorative 'Run For Unity' from New Delhi'sMajor Dhyanchand National Stadium. Meanwhile, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal alsotook part in the 'Run For Unity' march in Guwahati.