Delhi CM urges citizens to embrace patriotism by performing civic duties
New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Performing one's civic duties and small gestures like avoiding littering and wearing helmet for safety are also forms of patriotism, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday.
As part of a road safety awareness campaign organised by the Delhi government, Gupta, along with MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh and Chief Secretary Dharmendra participated in a helmet-wearing drive at Connaught Place.
'On the eve of Independence Day, let us pledge to follow road safety and maintain cleanliness in our city," Gupta said.
Urging the youngsters to follow road safety measures, the chief minister said you are the ones who will take the country forward, so wear helmets and fasten the straps properly.
'I always say that we may never have a chance to face the bullets and show our patriotism like our brave soldiers do but we can show it through small gestures. Maintaining cleanliness, helping people, following traffic and road safety rules like wearing helmets are also expressions of patriotism and love for the country," she said.
Swaraj also encouraged the youngsters to wear helmet by suggesting that they can customise it the way they do it with other fashion accessories.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said Delhi's safety was in the hands of its citizens.
'Let us promise ourselves that we will not do anything to compromise our safety and ensure that our friends and family also follow safety rules," he added. PTI VIT SHB SHS NB
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
August 14, 2025, 13:45 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Did not examine at appropriate time: EC hits out at Opposition amid Bihar SIR row
The Election Commission (EC), on Saturday, responded to the criticism over alleged voter list irregularities in Bihar, stressing that political parties are involved in every stage of the electoral roll process but failed to raise objections in time. 'It seems that some political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) did not examine the electoral rolls at the appropriate time and did not point out errors, if any...,' said the poll body, reported PTI. Ahead of its scheduled press conference in Delhi over the Bihar SIR, the Election Commission said that both physical and digital copies of draft rolls are shared with all parties and uploaded on its website for public access. Parties and citizens then get a full month to file claims and objections. Once the final list is published, it is again shared with recognised parties, along with a two-tier appeals system, explained the poll body. The Election Commission's comments come amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in poll-bound Bihar, and Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Chori' (vote theft) allegations. In an August 7 press conference, the Leader of Opposition in Lok sabha presented Congress' research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka to claim the theft of 1,00,250 votes. Earlier in the day, the EC had announced that it will 'explain' the Special Intensive Revision exercise ongoing in Bihar on Sunday, August 17, as LoP Rahul Gandhi begins his 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'. The poll body will hold a press conference at National Media Centre, Raisina Road, New Delhi, tomorrow. The EC, on Saturday, also said it continues to welcome a scrutiny of the electoral rolls by political parties and any elector. "It will help EROs to remove the errors and purify the electoral rolls which has always been the objective of EC," it said. The poll authority also underlined that the system for parliamentary and Assembly elections is a multi-layered decentralised construct as envisaged by law.
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Asaduddin Owaisi calls PM Modi's I-Day RSS praise a ‘great insult to freedom struggle'
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his Independence Day address, calling it a "great insult" to India's freedom struggle. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi further criticised claims that Muslims were responsible for Partition, calling it a "lie," and urged NCERT to include the book "Muslims Against Partition" by Shamsul Islam in its curriculum.(PTI File) Highlighting that RSS never participated in the freedom struggle, Owaisi said that the "cultural organisation" hated freedom fighters more than the Britishers since they used to remain in their "shadows". He argued that RSS has always opposed "inclusive nationalism." "Prime Minister praising the RSS in his Independence Day speech is a great insult to our freedom struggle because the RSS never participated in the freedom struggle. They used to remain in the shadows of the Britishers. RSS hated the freedom fighters more than the British, including Gandhi. RSS has always opposed inclusive nationalism, which was the basis that freedom fighters fought for the country's independence," Owaisi said while addressing a presser here. Owaisi further attacked the RSS, saying its Hindutva ideology was against the Constitution. He said it was "wrong" for the Prime Minister to praise an organisation that spreads "hatred" in the country. "The ideology of Hindutva is completely against the Constitution of India. When PM Modi went to RSS headquarters earlier, I didn't say anything because I realised that he is a life-time Swayamsewak. However, he praised RSS in his capacity as the Prime Minister of India, an organisation that spreads hatred in the country. Non-Cooperation Movement, Satyagraha, agitation against Rowlatt Act, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, Naval Mutiny in Mumbai - can you see RSS in any of it?" Owaisi argued. Referring to Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Hindu Mahasabha, Owaisi said, "RSS' oath talks about the religion, society and culture of a single community. When Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a minister in the Bengal cabinet in 1941, Fazlul Huq was heading it, who had moved the Muslim League's Pakistan resolution in the Lahore session in March 1940. And today, the Prime Minister is talking about them. We have always been and will remain philosophically opposed to the BJP. However, the Prime Minister's praise for RSS is wrong." Owaisi also voiced concerns over China. "We have danger from China. We can't go to the lost patrolling points. We lost 25 patrolling points," he added. The AIMIM chief further criticised claims that Muslims were responsible for Partition, calling it a "lie," and urged NCERT to include the book "Muslims Against Partition" by Shamsul Islam in its curriculum. "Include the book 'Muslims Against Partition' by Shamsul Islam in the NCERT... This lie is told again and again about Partition. At that time, not even 2-3 per cent of Muslims had the right to vote, and today people blame us for the Partition. How were we responsible for that? Those who fled from here, they fled. Those who were loyal stayed," he said. This comes after Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, in his speech on 79th Independence Day from the Red Fort yesterday, hailed the RSS for completing 100 years of service to the nation, describing it as the "biggest NGO in the world" and praising its century-long contribution to nation-building. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Freedom fighters' families walk out from I-day event over ‘humiliation'
What was meant to be an occasion of honour turned into a moment of humiliation as families of freedom fighters and martyrs walked out of the district level Independence Day function at Punjab Agricultural University on Thursday before the event commenced. In an unprecedented show of anger, they discarded the mementos and gifts given by the government, leaving them at the venue to mark their protest. Cabinet minister Aman Arora trying to pacify the kin of freedom fighters who staged a protest at the PAU in Ludhiana on Friday. (Manish/HT) Chanting slogans against the government and the district administration, the aggrieved families accused the authorities of dishonouring their sacrifices by failing to provide even the most basic arrangements. 'There were not enough chairs, the tent could not shield people from the scorching sun, and those sitting since morning were not even given water,' said Chetandeep Singh, district president of the Freedom Fighters' Dependents Association. Sensing the situation, deputy commissioner (DC) Himanshu Jain and commissioner of police Swapan Sharma reached out the protestors with folded hands, but the kin of freedom fighters and martyrs did not buy their assurance and continued their protests. The protest came just a day after DC Jain had met the families of freedom fighters and assured them that all their issues would be resolved and proper arrangements would be made for the Independence Day programme. On the ground, however, families alleged that even mementos and gifts fell short despite the administration having the complete list of invitees. Cabinet minister Aman Arora, who was the chief guest at the event, faced the ire of the families. Despite repeatedly folding his hands and apologising, the angry kin walked out, tossing aside the honours. 'The government promised respect but delivered humiliation,' said Mandeep Singh, press secretary of the association, adding that not a single demand of the families had been fulfilled in the last three and a half years. Mandeep Singh also alleged the family members of freedom fighters were stopped at the entrance by the police personnel on duty and kept them waiting for at least 15 minutes before letting them enter. He also added that they felt disrespected at the function to mark the independence for which their family members had even sacrificed their lives. Acknowledging the fiasco, minister Aman Arora admitted administrative lapses and assured action against those responsible. 'We failed to ensure smooth arrangements. I apologise with folded hands, and strict action will be taken,' he said. 'Tarang' helpline launched to combat drug-addiction On the occasion of 79th Independence-Day, cabinet minister Aman Arora on Friday inaugurated 'Tarang Helpline' (9779175050) a dedicated initiative of the Ludhiana administration to provide psychological support, counselling, and livelihood assistance for drug-affected individuals. Arora on Friday hoisted the national flag at the PAU grounds. Arora stated that the helpline will serve as a lifeline for individuals and families affected by drug addiction, providing immediate access to counselling, treatment guidance, and livelihood opportunities. The Tarang Helpline will act as a single point of contact for individuals seeking help, their families, and informants reporting drug-related concerns. It will guide callers to the nearest outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) clinic, de-addiction centre, or rehabilitation centre based on their needs. Follow-up calls after seven days will ensure continuous monitoring of treatment progress, with daily reports submitted to a nodal officer from the health department for seamless coordination. The initiative also includes one-on-one and group counselling sessions, with dedicated group counselling every Saturday in Red Cross Bhawan, overseen by health department officials and supported by security and PCR teams to ensure a safe environment. Further to support long-term rehabilitation, the helpline will coordinate with the District Bureau of Employment and Enterprises (DBEE) and Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) to provide skill training, job opportunities, and access to self-employment schemes tailored to individuals' interests and skills. He added that dedicated officers from the health and police departments will ensure streamlined action on medical and drug-related complaints, with Dream Ahead submitting daily reports to nodal officers and weekly feedback to his office. Strict confidentiality of callers' identities will be maintained to encourage open communication. The Minister also lauded the initiative by the administration and expressed hope that it will support those in overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives with dignity. During the event, Arora outlined the transformative achievements of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the past three years, emphasising its commitment to building a vibrant and prosperous Punjab. After hoisting the tricolour, Arora inspected the parade and paid tribute to freedom fighters - including Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh, Karnail Singh Issru, for their sacrifices in India's independence struggle. The Minister noted that Punjab is the first state in India to deploy anti-drone technology along the international border to curb drug and arms smuggling, a significant step in the Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs) campaign. He urged Punjabis to unite in the fight against the drug menace. Other notable initiatives include the Sadak Surakhya Force, which has saved thousands of lives in road accidents, and the Sarkar Aapke Dwar programme.
