Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today evening arrived at Surat airport to flag off the Surat night marathon event which has been named as Run for New India.

The Prime Minister was welcomed at the airport by Chief Minister Rupani and other dignitaries. The Prime Minister took halt at airport and left it to reach Lalbhai Contractor stadium. Through the 8.5 km decorated road stretch from airport to stadium,the Prime Minister was welcomed by thousands of citizens who had gathered on both sides of the road.

Following is the highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Lalbhai Contractor stadium:

Surat has shown the way for new India to the country. Generally, such events are held for the purpose of charity or some social cause, but Surat has linked this event to New India.

Nations are not made by governments, nations are not made by political systems, they are not formed by political leaders, the nation is made by strength of people. If for once, the people start walking toward a goal, shoulder to shoulder, no power in the world can obstruct it.

The Quit India movement started in 1942, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, with pledge that Britishers should leave India, and the  whole nation was out in support of this movement, and in 1947, within just five years, the Britishers had to leave India and the country achieved freedom.

At present, we are in 70th year of independence and in 2022 it will be 75th year. If in five-year period of 1942 to 1947 the nation rose against Britishers and Britishers had to go, now between 70th and 75th year of independence, we have another five-year period. If we 125 crore Indians take pledge not to stop, and go ahead towards the goal, we can achieve our dream.

A wish needs to convert into pledge, every dream needs to link to hard work. When we overcome our own shortcomings, I don’t think the country like India for which there’s very complementing situation prevailing in today’s world, the country like India for which the urge to understand and accept India is growing, the success will not be achieved.

We want new India free of poison of jatiwad, sampradayik vad-vivad, new India is one that has no place for corruption, new India is one which is in accordance to dreams of youths, new India is one where women and daughters are respected, new India is one which is free from poverty, free from garbage, new India is one where opportunities are available to everyone who want to fulfill his/her dreams.

Achieving new India is not difficult if common person determines for it.

Surat is famous for udhiya party and locho, but there’s more. Surat does it when it decides to do.

I was watching on social media, the way you  colored the city with lights for new India, you had Holi in advance with colors of lights. Holi festival will be celebrated soon. Surat has significant number of North Indians. I convey my wishes for Holi to Surat and Gujarat.

On 31st October, Run for Unity events will be held across the country on the occasion of birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. Surat needs to break all records. Highest number of people should be there participating in Run for Unity event. Even more compared to today’s event.

On 21 June, to mark the World Yoga Day, Surat should break all records of highest number of people doing Yoga at one place.

The element of health awareness is linked to marathon event. Many people were doing practice for today’s run event. Surat is running and making Gujarat running and made me to run from Delhi to here, for good health, this is important, if citizens are fit, country can’t be unfit anymore.