PM Modi remembers Sardar Patel and Guru Nanak in Mann Ki Baat

The Prime Minister said Sardar Patel integrated not only the princely states of Hyderabad and Junagarh with India but also foiled Pakistan's plans to capture Lakshadweep.

Sardar Patel was attentive to every detail and he was worried about the integration of Lakshadweep as he was concerned about the merger of bigger states, Modi said.

"We have built the world's tallest statue in Sardar Patel's memory which is now a tourist destination," he commented adding that the development was an example of how a place can be transformed into a tourist attraction in just a year.

In his Mann Ki Baat message today, the PM again appealed to the listeners to visit at least 15 tourist destinations in the country during their lifetime.

Speaking about "Run for Unity", Modi urged everyone to take part in the long-distance run which symbolised the unity of India and the "Fit India Movement" and asked the people to check the "Run for Unity" portal to get more information about the event.

In his message, he also spoke about Guru Nanak and pointed out that the first Sikh Guru had highlighted the importance of water conservation.

In the beginning of the broadcast, the Prime Minister greeted the listeners on the occasion of Diwali with a Sanskrit shloka.

"What an excellent message! This shloka means light brings happiness, prosperity and health and clears the mindof negative thoughts and ushers in good sense,"he tweeted, explaining the meaning of the shloka.

He tweeted: "PM @narendramodi begins today’s #MannKiBaat by conveying Diwali greetings."