Prime Minister Narendra Modi   Sunday addressed the nation in the 49th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. PM Modi started his address talking about the run for unity and urged people to take part in it. Praising Sardar Patel, PM Modi referred to a 1947 edition of The ‘TIME’ Magazine which did a story on the freedom fighter. The prime minister said that it is because of Sardar Patel that we see India as it is today.

“My dear countrymen, Namaskar. 31st October is the birth anniversary of our beloved Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This year too, youth of country is all set to take part in #RunForUnity. I urge you to participate in largest possible numbers in this run for uni. Gandhiji considered Sardar Patel as the only one capable of finding lasting solution to the vexed issue of the states and asked him to act,” he said.

He said on 31st October, the nation will dedicate Statue Of Unity – world’s tallest sky scraping statue, twice the height of the Statue of Liberty – to Sardar Patel.

Every Indian will now be proud to see the world’s tallest statue here on Indian soil. #SardarPatel, a true son of the soil will adorn our skies too. I hope every Indian being will swell with pride on this remarkable feat of mother India,” he added.

He also paid tributes to Indira Gandhi ahead of her death anniversary on October 31.

Speaking about, India’s performance at 2018 AsianPara Games2018 held at Jakarta, PM Modi said athletes bagged tally of 72 medals creating a new record, bringing glory to the nation.

“India is setting new records not just in the field of sports but also in hitherto uncharted areas. To give you an example, I would like to mention about Para Athlete Narayan Thakur,” he said. Thakur, a divyang athlete, had lost his father at the age of eight and had to work as a waiter after leaving the orphanage.