Compulsory Run for Unity? Govt officials unsure of 'voluntary' participation

Compulsory Run for Unity? Govt officials unsure of 'voluntary' participation

FP Staff October 31, 2014, 09:13:32 IST

The ‘Run for Unity’ marathon, which has been flagged off today by the PM to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, has left many officials confused about their participation.

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Compulsory Run for Unity? Govt officials unsure of 'voluntary' participation

The ‘Run for Unity’ marathon, which was flagged off today by the Prime Minister to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, had left many officials confused about how they are expected to participate.

Yesterday, it was reported that there was again a security clampdown in New Delhi, and that several key offices of the Central government including North and South Block, were shut down at 2 pm. The “Run for Unity” was flagged off at Vijay Chowk by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this morning.

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According to a DNA report, officials in the Delhi’s top offices were confused whether their participation is compulsory in the ‘Run for Unity,’ even though the instructions from the Centre said it was voluntary.

The report quotes one government official as saying, “Although it is voluntary invitation, we officials of the home ministry and PMO, are taking it seriously.”

As far as the security clampdown in Central Delhi is concerned, it has become a regular feature. “It seems that Republic Day kind of security arrangements are becoming a norm for this government. It is a kind phobia for insecurity,” an officer told the paper.

Run for Unity has been flagged off.

The central government has decided to celebrate 31 October as the “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” to commemorate the birth anniversary of Patel, the country’s first home minister. Patel, known as the “Iron Man of India”, was instrumental in the merger of over 500 princely states to create a united India.

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The buildings that were closed from 2 pm yesterday included South Block and North Block, Rail Bhawan, CSIR Building, Krishi Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, National Archives and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, an official statement said. Transport Bhawan, RBI, Yojana Bhawan, Sardar Patel Bhawan, Election Commission, Punjab National Bank Building, Patel Chowk, Akashwani Bhawan and offices along Sansad Marg – the road leading to parliament – will remain closed from 2 pm Thursday till 8 am on Friday.

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The Unity pledge will begin from 9.30 and continue till 11.00 am. As far as traffic is concerned, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory on their Facebook page. Commuters in Delhi should note that Rajpath and Rafi Marg shall be closed for movement of traffic from 5.00 am to 9.30 am while Janpath and Man Singh Road shall be closed between 7.00 am to 9.30 am.

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The Run for Unity started from the crossing of Rajpath & Rafi Marg - Rajpath - terminate at Rajpath before ‘C’ Hexagon, India Gate, adds the advisory.

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