Q.The 'Run for Unity', held to promote national integration, is associated with the birth anniversary of:

The 'Run for Unity' (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is held every year on 31 October, which is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Patel is remembered as the architect of India's political integration, having unified more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence. The run was instituted to honour his legacy of national unity and to foster a spirit of oneness among citizens across diverse regions, languages, and cultures.

(b) is incorrect because Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary (29 August) is celebrated as National Sports Day in India, not associated with a unity run. …

Why this matters

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India," was instrumental in uniting the princely states into a single nation after independence in 1947. His vision of a unified India makes his birth anniversary the natural choice for an event celebrating national integration. The 'Run for Unity' (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Run) was launched to honor his legacy and to remind citizens of the importance of solidarity, communal harmony, and the strength that comes from diversity united under one flag.

The event typically involves mass participation runs across cities and towns, symbolizing the collective movement toward a cohesive nation. It reinforces values of teamwork, inclusiveness, and shared identity — all central to physical education's broader role in character building and citizenship.

Evaluating the options

1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — Born on 31 October 1875, Patel's birthday is observed as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas). The 'Run for Unity' is the flagship event of this day, making this the correct answer.
2. Major Dhyan Chand — Born on 29 August 1905, his birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. While he is a towering figure in Indian hockey and sports history, his day is not associated with the 'Run for Unity.' …