Srinagar, Oct 31 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday led the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations in Kashmir, as thousands of people took part in ‘Run for Unity’ rallies across the valley, officials said.
The historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar witnessed an Ekta Diwas parade and celebrations in the presence of Sinha and other senior officers, reaffirming the collective commitment to national unity and integrity, they said.
The occasion was marked across the valley with patriotic fervour at district headquarters and police stations.
‘Run for Unity’ rallies were organised in various districts to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the ‘Iron Man of India’, and mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day.
The respective deputy commissioners and senior police officers led the rallies, which saw participation by officials of the civil and police administrations, students, youth and members of the public, officials said.
The officers highlighted Patel’s contribution to strengthening the country’s unity and integrity, and said national unity was essential for a strong, peaceful and progressive nation.
They emphasised that India’s strength lay in its unity in diversity and that every citizen had a responsibility to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, integrity and democratic values.
Participants also took the National Unity Pledge, committing themselves to preserving the unity, integrity and security of the nation and strengthening bonds of brotherhood, mutual respect and communal harmony, the officials said.
(PTI News)
