Associated News Bureau

Kashmir Marathon Concludes With Message of Unity, Fitness and Youth Empowerment

Srinagar, October 1: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday addressed the closing ceremony of the Kashmir Marathon – Run for Unity, commending the participation and enthusiasm of thousands of young runners and describing the event as a symbol of peace, unity and progress in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the Run for Unity was not merely a test of speed or endurance, but a reflection of 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,” Sinha said. Highlighting India’s diversity, he said differences in language, traditions, food and attire do not alter the country’s shared identity. “Unity is India’s strength, and when millions of steps move in one direction, even the highest mountains can be crossed,” he said. Sinha said the Kashmir Marathon had conveyed a message that no goal was beyond the reach of a united India. He said the participation of the youth represented an investment in a shared future and reflected their aspirations for a better India and a self-reliant and developed Jammu and Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor urged young people to embrace discipline, fitness and brotherhood while staying away from drugs. He referred to the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir campaign and said it had engaged thousands of young people through padyatras and civic action programmes. He also called upon the youth to become ambassadors of the Fit India Movement and contribute to nation-building. “The real victory of a marathon lies not merely in reaching the finish line, but in holding each other’s hands and moving forward together,” Sinha said. He called for a continued commitment to unity and the vision of a developed India by 2047. “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,” he said. More than 6,000 runners participated in the Kashmir Marathon – Run for Unity in different categories this year. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, ADGP Armed Police Nitish Kumar, ADGP CID M.K. Sinha, senior officers of the Police and Civil Administration, prominent sportspersons and a large number of youth attended the closing and felicitation ceremony. ANB