Jaipur’s ‘Sardar150 Unity March’ Echoes Patel’s Dream.pdf

They came in thousands. Students, young professionals, families, and elderly citizens—a river of humanity flowing through the pink city of Jaipur. Their mission was simple yet profound: to run for unity. To celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of a man who stitched a fragmented India into one nation—Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

1. Running as One: Jaipur’s ‘Sardar@150
Unity March’ Echoes Patel’s Dream

They came in thousands. Students, young professionals, families, and elderly citizens—a
river of humanity flowing through the pink city of Jaipur. Their mission was simple yet
profound: to run for unity. To celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of a man who
stitched a fragmented India into one nation—Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Led by Rajasthan's Cabinet Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Colonel Rajyavardhan
Rathore, the ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ was more than just a run; it was a moving
tribute, a pledge, and a powerful reassertion of India’s unifying spirit.
A March Steeped in Tribute
The event began at the Mahatma Gandhi Circle, a fitting starting point that connected
the legacies of two great leaders. Colonel Rathore began by paying heartfelt homage to
the ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Patel, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi. Under the
guidance of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and the leadership of Colonel Rathore, the

2. gathered crowd took a solemn pledge for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ (One India,
Superior India).
The ‘Run for Unity’ then wove its way through the city’s iconic landmarks—Birla Mandir,
Rambagh, Ambedkar Circle—before culminating at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at Sawai
Mansingh Stadium. At the stadium, Colonel Rathore laid a wreath at the immortal flame,
honouring the soldiers who guard India’s unity, and before the portrait of Sardar Patel,
the architect of that very unity.
Weaving the Past with the Present
In his address, Colonel Rathore beautifully encapsulated Patel’s legacy. “The life of
Sardar Patel is a symbol of national unity, courage, and dedication,” he stated. He
reminded everyone how Patel’s unwavering will and foresight rebuilt the nation,
integrating over 560 princely states to weave a unified India.
Connecting this historical feat with a contemporary milestone, Colonel Rathore made a
significant observation. He noted that Sardar Patel’s dream of a fully integrated India
was truly realized under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the
leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, with the abrogation of Article 370, which made
Jammu & Kashmir an inseparable part of India.
The Takeaway: More Than Just a Run
As the sun rose over Jaipur, it didn't just illuminate a marathon; it illuminated an idea.
The Sardar@150 Unity March was a vivid reminder that the unity we often take for
granted was hard-won. It was a collective promise to uphold the values of the Iron
Man—courage, resolve, and an undying faith in a united India.
In every step taken by those thousands, Sardar Patel’s dream ran on, stronger than ever.