Led by Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma thousands of city residents today ran for around five kilometers for generating awareness about votes in the Jalandhar Runs for Vote mini-marathon organized by the district administration here today.The Deputy Commissioner flagged off the mini-marathon from local Guru Gobind Singh Stadium and the mini-marathon culminated back at the same venue after passing through Chun Mun Chowk, APJ School, BMC Chowk, Namdev Chowk, Skylark Chowk, Guru Nanak Mission Chowk and Guru Amardass (Milkbar) Chowk. During the event organized by the District administration and the Sports Department people from all walks of life enthusiastically took part to strengthen democracy at grassroots level. More than 80 years old Mr. Pargat Singh and six years old girl Pallani Bhatia were amongst the other participants who completed the mini-marathon.In his address, the Deputy Commissioner asked the participants to be the ambassadors for generating awareness amongst people to exercise their franchise. He said that maximum participation of voters in democratic process was the key for formation of a good government. Thus, Mr. Sharma said that thrust must be laid on sensitizing the people, especially the youngsters, about the need for exercising their franchise by rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color, creed or sex.The Deputy Commissioner categorically said that strengthening democracy at grass root level was a mammoth task and youth must contribute enormously in this national service.He said that in modern era Right to vote was the most important asset in the life of every individual as through this they could elect their representatives in a free and fair manner thereby transforming their lives.
Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the forefathers of Indian constitution have empowered every individual with the supreme right to ensure a level playing field for all in the democratic set up.The Deputy Commissioner said that it was the moral duty of every individual to get cast their vote to further strengthen the democracy in the country. He said that this would contribute immensely in socio-economic development of the country and the state. Mr. Sharma also administered the oath to the participants for actively participating in the electoral process.Meanwhile in men’s section Mr. Kulwinder Singh, Mr. Manjinder Singh and Mr. Lovemeet Singh whereas in girl’s section Ms. Suman, Ms. Ram Kumari and Ms. Supandeep Kaur bagged one, second and third prize. They were given cash prize of Rs 5000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 respectively by Mr. Sharma . On the occasion Deputy Commissioner also felicitated ace sportsperson Mr. Varinder Singh Olympian, shuttler Ms. Palak Kohli and chess player Ms. Mallika Handa, who have brought laurels for the state and country.Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jasbir Singh, Chief Executive Officer Smart City Mr. Jitendra Jorwal, Sub Divisional Magistrates Mr. Paramvir Singh and Mr. Sanjiv Sharma, Joint Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ms. Aashika Jain, Assistant Commissioners Mr. Himanshu Jain and Ms. Shayari Malhotra, District Sports Officer Mr. Balwinder Singh , District Education Officer Mr. Harinder Pal Singh, Assistant Director Youth Services Captain Inderjit Singh Dhami, Assistant Coordinator SVEEP Mr. Surjit Lal, Field Publicity Officer Mr. Rajesh Baali, Coaches Mr. Umesh Sharma, Mr. Harjinder Singh , Mr. Varun Kumar, Mr. Jaspreet Dhillon, Ms. Rajwinder Kaur and Mr. Lovejit Sarai besides others.