GM NCR Naresh Pal Singh administered the oath to officers and employees Prayagraj: The 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed as National Unity Day across Prayagraj on Saturday, with govt offices and North Central Railway organising oath ceremonies and a ‘Run for Unity’ to underline the importance of national unity, integrity and security.Divisional commissioner Lokesh M administered the National Unity Day oath to officers and employees at his office, and participants pledged to remain committed to the unity and integrity of the nation and promote harmony, brotherhood and social cohesion among citizens.Lokesh M said Patel’s determination and farsightedness had laid a strong foundation for national unity by integrating the princely states. He urged officials to imbibe Patel’s ideals and contribute towards strengthening unity, integrity, communal harmony and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma also administered the National Unity Day oath to officials and employees at Sangam auditorium.At the North Central Railway headquarters, National Unity Day was observed in accordance with Railway Board guidelines and the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. General manager Naresh Pal Singh administered the oath to officers and employees at 8 am. A ‘Run for Unity’ was organised under his leadership. Officers and employees from various departments, along with Railway Protection Force personnel and members of the NCR sports association, participated in the run.At a similar event held at KV Bamrauli, the principal of the school, Anoop Shukla, administered the oath to hundreds of students of the school. Besides, students of classes V to VII participated in a 1 km ‘run for unity’.BoxCrossing named after SardarA statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was unveiled at Hotstuff crossing in Civil Lines on Saturday to mark National Unity Day and his 151st birth anniversary. The crossing was also renamed Sardar Vallabhbhai Chowraha. State jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh, the chief guest, unveiled the statue and recalled Patel’s contribution to national unity. He said Patel played a crucial role in integrating 562 princely states and laying the foundation for a united India. The programme was attended by officials and other public representatives.