South Central Railway celebrates Ekta Diwas

Secunderabad: The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and the beacon of National Unity was celebrated on a grand scale all over South Central Railway on Thursday.

A host of events marked the celebrations, the highlight being the 'Run for Unity' organized in a befitting manner at Secunderabad as also in the other Divisional Headquarters of the Zone - Vijayawada, Guntur, Guntakal and Nanded.

SCR General Manager Gajanan Mallya administered the "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" Unity Pledge to a large gathering of Rail personnel and commoners who assembled at the Rail Nilayam Lawns, Secunderabad.

He later flagged off the Unity Run and joined the participants to complete the course, which covered the core stretch of Secunderabad towards Sangeet 'X' Roads before culminating at the starting point. The run comprised a huge number of sportspersons, police personnel, senior citizens as well as the youth, for whom the One Uniting factor was - Eli Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Sharing his thoughts on the great visionary, Gajanan Mallya highlighted the fact that every Indian should remain indebted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was the architect for uniting the country into one strong entity post Independence after the Britishers left. India had a large number of princely states with several of them having their doubts to integrate with the nation and it was on account of Sardar Patel that they fell in line.

"His uncompromising stance towards national unity, iron will and a humane heart ensured that every citizen cultivates patriotism towards the country and acts as the unifying force. India of today is the gift of Sardar Patel to us all," he emphasised. This day acts to cultivate nationalistic fervor amongst all Indians, he added.

The General Manager also briefed on the various other events to be held on the day, including cultural programs, street plays, march past by the Railway Protection Force, essay and quiz competitions on national integration, painting at stations on national unity and exhibition of documentary films on the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in National Integration. BB Singh, Additional General Manager, SCR, and other senior officials of the zone also participated in the celebrations.