Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today flagged off the ‘Samta’ Marathon dedicated to Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar from Yavanika Park, Sector-5. He said that the run symbolizes the state’s unwavering commitment to social justice, equality, and rights.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the venue, the Chief Minister was accorded a rousing welcome by youth and children. He warmly acknowledged their greetings and interacted with the gathering. Besides flagging off the marathon, he also boosted the participants’ morale by showering flowers on them. Amid chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram,” the participants enthusiastically ran up to Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium, Sector-3, spreading a strong message of unity and brotherhood.
Extending his greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Baba Saheb’s 135th birth anniversary, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that Baba Saheb’s life is an extraordinary saga of struggle, sacrifice, and determination. He dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of those sections of society that had remained deprived and exploited for centuries. He said that Baba Saheb not only gave India its Constitution but also an enduring ideology rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and fraternity. Today’s ‘Samta’ Marathon, he added, serves as a powerful medium to carry this ideology to every citizen.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Marathon conveys a clear message that no form of discrimination, inequality, or injustice is acceptable in society. He called upon everyone to work together to build an India where every individual has equal opportunities, every citizen is treated with dignity, and no one is deprived of their rights. He said that this was Baba Saheb’s vision and remains the very soul of the Constitution.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the Haryana Government is fully committed to upholding and advancing Babasaheb’s ideals. He said that numerous schemes have been launched for the welfare of every section of society, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person in the queue. He added that whether through scholarship schemes in education, employment opportunities, or social security initiatives, the state government is consistently working to ensure equality and justice at every level.
He emphasized that the present government firmly believes that holistic development of the state and the nation is not possible until every section of society is empowered. Therefore, he said, continuous efforts are being made to formulate policies that bring marginalized sections into the mainstream.
Interacting with the youth, the Chief Minister said that they are the future of the nation and that the responsibility of building an empowered and egalitarian society rests on their shoulders. He recalled that Baba Saheb had described education as the greatest weapon and had urged people to “Educate, Agitate, and Organize.” He stressed that these words must be internalized and reflected in our lives, adding that only through education, awareness, and unity can meaningful and positive change be brought about in society.
Paying homage to Babasaheb, the Chief Minister called upon the people to follow the path shown by him. He urged everyone to join hands in building an India founded on the values of equality, justice, and fraternity.
Among those present on the occasion included Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh Krishan Kumar Bedi, BJP State President Sh Mohan Lal Badoli, Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women Smt. Renu Bhatia, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Sh Satpal Sharma, Additional Director of the Department of Information, Public Relations, and Languages Smt. Varsha Khangwal, Additional Director, Sh Manish Lohan, along with other senior officers and dignitaries.