JAIPUR: Rajasthan reacted in union to the call given by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for the ' Run for Unity ' to commemorate the 63th death anniversary of 'Iron man of India' Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on Sunday.

Defying a cold Sunday morning, the state's 33 districts including Jaipur saw a sea of people from all walks of life from BJP leaders to social activists, corporators to students and doctors to lawyers tying saffron bands around the neck and taking part in the run.

BJP leader and Olympian Rajyavardhan Singh along with a battery of newly elected BJP legislators flagged-off the run at 8am from Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur. "This is a great occasion to remember the country's greatest politician. It's our responsibility to fulfill his dream and vision to see this country united and 'prosperous," Rathore said.

The BJP leaders lead by example when newly elected MLA from Civil Lines Arun Chaturvedi holding the national flag was spotted leading over 20,000 participants rallying behind him. He appealed to the participants to contribute for the building of Patel's iron statue in Gujarat.

Chanting of 'Bharat Mata ke Jai' 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' reverberated till the run concluded. Folk artists playing tunes of patriotic songs kept the enthusiasm level of the participants high. Such a huge turnout was even unexpected for the organizers who fell short of tee-shirts inscribed 'Run for Unity'.

Families also turned-up in large numbers to participate in the event. Mukesh Chaudhary, a cyber crime expert, joined the run along with his wife and shared his picture on social networking site. "Delightful to be the part of campaign for unity and harmony," he wrote on the site. For many participants, it is a tribute to Patel who they say was not given due space at public places in the state.

Similar response was received in other districts. The run held at 1,100 places in the country, including in all 33 districts in the state. BJP estimated that over 50 million people participated in the run.

