Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath flags off cycle rally, lauds SSB for protecting borders

LUCKNOW: To mark India’s 75th year of Independence, chief minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off a cycle rally by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) from Lucknow to Delhi. The rally had begun from Assam and reached UP’s Maharajganj district on September 15.
The CM praised SSB for its work of patrolling India’s border with Nepal and spoke about the importance of celebrating India’s independence so that the youth is aware of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.

“SSB should not be looked at as just a force but recognised for its services in protecting the country and also maintaining relations with local people. It has been patrolling the Indo-Nepal border since 2001. UP shares a border of around 600km with Nepal. SSB has established itself as a capable force and has focused on human intelligence,” the CM said.
With ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ being celebrated all year, Yogi said it was necessary to explain to the current generation what the cost of independence has been. Expressing gratitude to freedom fighters, he said that everyone must derive inspiration from their sacrifices.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are also organising the centenary celebrations of the Chauri Chaura incident combined with that of the 75th year of independence. Special programmes are being held at all sites connected with the independence movement,” the CM said.
He also mentioned how, meeting the PM’s target for each state to sign an MoU with another to strengthen cultural relations, UP had signed MoUs with Maharashtra, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
“These MoUs will help in realising the PM’s dream of a unified India. Now, on national festivals, cultural teams from each state visit each other and have also come to UP,” he said.
The cycle rally will cover a distance of 2,384km from Tezpur in Assam to Delhi’s Rajghat, where it will reach on Gandhi Jayanti. The cyclists have crossed West Bengal and Bihar. On its UP route are Basti, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Unnao, Mati, Akbarpur, Auriya, Etawah, Shikohabad, Tundla, Kosi Kalan, Faridabad and Ghitorni.