Jang-e-Azadi rally reaches Delhi; CM, cabinet colleagues welcome it

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of VIPs welcomed the 'Jang-e-Azadi' Rally, organised to commemorate 150 years of India's first Independence struggle, on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border this morning amid great pomp and show.

Welcoming 20,000 rally participants with showering of flowers, Ms Dikshit said the rally symbolised the spirit of a determined youth which thrived on unity in diversity and integrity of the nation.

''I am proud to welcome the rally which teaches us the lesson of patriotism and inspires us to undertake such missions which make us realise the importance of hard gained Independence,'' the Delhi CM said.

In her message to the youth on the occasion, the Chief Minister who was accompanied by area MP and her son Sandeep Dikshit and Health Minister Yoganand Shastri among others, said they must preserve the national heritage which had been earned through great sacrifices.

''In Delhi we are identifying places which are associated with the 'movement' and as a tribute to the freedom struggle we will preserve those places for posterity that would remind them of the great sacrifices undertaken to earn independence.'' As the rally moved forward, decorated arches and people standing on both sides of the road greeted the rallyists with chanting of patriotic songs, by waving tricolour and bearing placards with slogans on freedom struggle written on them. Several organisations have also set up tents to offer water, 'sherbat' and fruit to rallyists.

Earlier, at about 0530 hrs the rally, carrying the message of 'Sajhi Shahadat, Sajhi Virasat', started from Ghaziabad in the last and final leg of its journey from Meerut to Delhi, covering a distance of 80 km over a five-day period while halting at Modinagar, Muradnagar and Ghaziabad.

The 'pad yatra' would culminate at the historic Red Fort here tomorrow where President APJ Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and NDA chairman will be among the galaxy of dignitaries who would address it.

Rally participants would stay at Yamuna Pushta this evening, where they would be joined by another 10,000 boys and girls of the 'Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan', along with 6,000 others from the Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Cadet Corps and the National Service Scheme, for tomorrow's programme at the Red Fort.

UNI