SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the Kashmir Marathon–Run for Unity had conveyed a strong message that “no goal is too distant for a united India”, while calling upon the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to embrace fitness, discipline and stay away from drugs.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the marathon, Sinha commended the enthusiasm of the youth and congratulated the runners and Jammu and Kashmir Police for organising the event, which he said had become a symbol of peace, unity and progress in the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor said the marathon was not merely about speed or endurance but about collective resolve and faith. “Run for Unity race is not merely the speed of our steps. It is the speed of our resolve and it is the speed of that faith which tells us that when people walk together, no destination remains impossible,” he said.
Referring to India’s diversity, Sinha said people may differ in language, traditions, food and attire, but “the heartbeat of India remains one”. He said unity remained the country’s strength and that when millions of steps moved in one direction, even the highest mountains could be crossed.
“Through the Kashmir Marathon-Run for Unity, youth have sent a message that no goal is too distant for a united India,” he said, adding that the participation of the runners was an investment in a shared future.
Sinha said the marathon was also dedicated to the new generation of Jammu and Kashmir that dreams of a better India and to the youth working towards making Jammu and Kashmir a self-reliant and developed Union Territory.
Calling upon young people to make fitness and discipline part of their lives, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to stay away from drugs. He recalled the success of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign, which involved youth through padyatras and civic action programmes, and called upon them to become brand ambassadors of the Fit India Movement.
He said the real victory of a marathon was not merely reaching the finish line but holding each other’s hands and moving forward together.
“Though we may have come from different paths, our destination is one. Our identities may be many, but our national identity is one. Our pace may differ, but our India is one, unbroken,” Sinha said, referring to the resolve of building a developed India by 2047.
More than 6,000 runners participated in different categories of this year’s Kashmir Marathon–Run for Unity.
DGP Nalin Prabhat, ADGP Armed Police Nitish Kumar, ADGP CID M K Sinha, senior officers of the Police and Civil Administration, prominent sports personalities and a large number of youth attended the felicitation ceremony.
Youth participation helping foil neighbour’s nefarious designs: DGP
Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday said the increasing participation of children and youth in sports and constructive activities is helping Jammu and Kashmir move towards peace and prosperity while thwarting the “nefarious designs” of the neighbouring country.
Addressing the flag-in ceremony of the ‘Run for Unity’ marathon, Prabhat, said the growing turnout reflected the younger generation’s commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future.
“The increase in participation every year shows that our children and youth are working towards a peaceful and prosperous future,” he said.
The DGP said J&K’s youth were increasingly choosing “peace over violence and progress over destruction,” adding that the police were supporting them through sports tournaments and the Civic Action Programme.
“The energy of J&K’s youth is being channelled in a very positive direction,” he said.
Highlighting the police’s anti-drug campaign, Prabhat said 3,257 cases had been registered since April 11, around 4,000 people arrested and 170 convictions secured. More than 2,500 cases have also been disposed of, he said.
He said 288 properties worth over Rs 138 crore had been attached, more than Rs 80 lakh in cash seized, and 144 persons booked under the PIT-NDPS Act, which he described as the highest figure in the country.
Referring to counter-terrorism efforts, Prabhat said September witnessed several major operational achievements for J&K Police. He added that the force remained actively engaged in crime prevention, crime detection and maintenance of law and order.
The DGP also highlighted the role of 19 Mountain Rescue Teams of the J&K Armed Police deployed during this year’s Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, saying they performed their duties effectively.
He further lauded the rescue operation carried out after the disruption of the Gulmarg Gondola service, saying J&K Police, along with its Mountain Rescue Teams and SDRF personnel, evacuated stranded tourists in record time.
Prabhat also cited the Armed Police’s achievements in mountaineering and sports, including successful summit expeditions to Kang Yatse in Ladakh and Kolahoi Peak in Anantnag, besides winning a medal at the Asian Championship in Vietnam.
He said sustained engagement through such initiatives was bringing the police and youth closer. “The bond between J&K Police and the youth is growing stronger with each passing day,” he said.
ADGP Armed Police Nitish Kumar, ADGP CID M.K. Sinha, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior police and civil administration officers, sportspersons and a large number of young participants attended the ceremony.
