PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the State government is consistently striving to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country. He said this while launching the Ekta Padyatra and paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India at his statue located at the Clock Tower on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Friday. During the event, he also administered a pledge to adopt Swadeshi practices and maintain a drug-free Uttarakhand.
While honouring Patel, the CM emphasised that India stands as a powerful and united nation today due to Patel’s indomitable courage, foresight and dedication to the country. He highlighted that Patel dedicated his entire life to the unity and integrity of India, successfully uniting over 560 princely States into a single nation. As a tribute to Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared his birth anniversary as ‘National Unity Day’ in 2014, which is a fitting homage to this great leader, he added.
He further said that walkathon programmes will be organised at three locations in each district across the State till November 16. Each event will feature an eight- to 10-kilometre walk combined with public awareness campaigns focused on initiatives like Drug-Free India, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at spreading positive messages throughout society, he said.
He added that this walkathon is not merely a race but a means to strengthen India’s spirit of unity in diversity. It aims to instill a sense of nation-building, discipline and service in the youth. CM encouraged young people to embrace Patel’s ideals and actively contribute to realising the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat.
Cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaj, Ganesh Joshi and others were also present on the occasion.
