March of Unity: CISF, BSF take part in ‘Ekta Diwas Parade’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 144th birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)

The 182-metre-tall statue of Sardar Patel was inaugurated by Modi on October 31 last year. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)

Modi watched `Ekta parade' in which personnel of the Gujarat Police, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force took part. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)

Mock drill demonstrations were conducted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Disaster Response Force and National Security Guard. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)(Express photo: Bhupender Rana)

CISF personnel gave a demonstration of how to deal with terrorists at airports, while NDRF demonstrated rescue operations during earthquakes and gas leakage.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the “Ekta Diwas Parade” and administer the oath of national integration before heading to Vadodara in the evening. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)

As the prime minister offered floral tributes, flower petals were showered on the world's tallest statue by an Indian Air Force helicopter.

The Modi-led government has been observing Patel’s birth anniversary as ‘Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day since 2014. (Express photo: Bhupender Rana)