BJP takes out 'Run for Unity' march in Jammu

BJP today took out a peace and prosperity march in Jammu city to mark the national integration day on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Led by national Vice President, MP and Jammu and Kashmir Parbhari Avinash Rai Khanna, scores of ministers, legislators, school children, citizens and party activists and top BJP leaders participated in the 'Raun for Unity' event, which started from historic Dogra heritage monument of Mubarak Mandi in the heart of the city.
The march later passed through main bazaars before culminated at Hari Singh Park, where Khanna, BJP State President and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, Member of Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas addressed the gathering.

Khanna, while addressing the gathering, said that the need of the time is to take inspiration from the life of 'Iron Man' Sardar Patel and get united to defend the nation from the internal and external challenges and threats.
The role of the youth, school-going children in particular, becomes more important and they should take pledge on this day to contribute towards the betterment of their motherland, he said.
He extended thanks to the educational institutions and civil society for voluntarily participating in the march.

Sharma said that the role of Sardar Patel during the struggle for Independence and thereafter deserves the real appreciation.

"This great leader worked towards making independent India a strong nation and our real tribute to him will be to take pledge for defeating the anti-national forces", he added.
He said that the motive to organize this march is to educate the people and send a message of working towards unity among the masses, maintaining peace and brotherhood and contribute in prosperity of the state and the nation.
Nirmal Singh said that in Jammu and Kashmir Indian tricolor could not be hoisted before 1953 and it was the result of supreme sacrifices of the great patriots that it got its recognition in the state.

He asked the students in particular to take pledge on this day to stand like a rock against all odds and work for strengthening the nationalist forces.
He said that remembering such tall leaders once in a year is not enough but we should make it a routine to reach the people with the message, ideology and principles of great patriots like Sardar Patel.