On the 79th Independence Day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha honored 79 cyclists who took part in the ‘Pedal for Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ rally organized by the Border Security Force (BSF). The rally, which was part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations, included 40 local youths and 39 BSF personnel. They covered 79 kilometers, cycling from BSF Campus Bandipora to Frontier HQ in Humhama, to celebrate India’s unity and national identity.
Honoring National Unity and Service
Lieutenant Governor Sinha congratulated the BSF for the event, stating it was a fitting tribute to the brave soldiers who have sacrificed for the nation’s unity. He also expressed hope that the rally would encourage more young people to join the BSF, Army, and Police forces. Sinha emphasized that the cyclists were a “living symbol of India’s enduring tradition of courage,” with the 79 kilometers symbolizing 79 years of India’s independence.
“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one,” said Sinha. “The heart and soul of 140 crore Indians are united, and we are a big family… We must inculcate the spirit of ‘Nation First’ and every citizen must prioritize nation-building over personal interests.”
Call to Action for a Developed Nation
Sinha urged the younger generation and all citizens to dedicate themselves to building a “Viksit Jammu Kashmir and Viksit Bharat” (Developed Jammu Kashmir and Developed India). He also called upon the public to be vigilant against divisive elements and to participate in the “Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan” (Tricolor in Every House Campaign).
He concluded the ceremony by paying tribute to the civilians who were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, stating, “If the terrorist country Pakistan sheds the blood of our citizens, then it will have to pay a very heavy price.”
The felicitation ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including IG BSF Kashmir Frontier Ashok Yadav, IG STC BSF Kashmir Solomon Yash Kumar Minz, and other civil and police administrators, along with a large number of cyclists and youth.
