Mumbai-Delhi march for love of national flag

Gurgaon, April 11 (IANS) From Mumbai to Delhi on foot: It took Khalid Qureshi, a senior ticket checker of Western Railway from Mumbai, a little over two months to cover the distance for his campaign to spread love and respect for the national flag.

Qureshi's Mumbai-Delhi march over 1,100 km is part of his 'Love My Tiranga' campaign which he launched Jan 26. On Wednesday, he made a brief halt in Gurgaon before heading for the national capital.

'I want to spread love and respect for the national flag,' said the 40-year-old railway employee, who was welcomed by Gurgaon Haryana Urban Development Authority Administrator Parveen Kumar, Mayor Vimal Yadav and resident welfare associations.

He said he was preferred to run during the journey and carried the national flag to encourage, inspire and enthuse every religious and educational institutions.

His wife Zeenat Qureshi and daughters Ikra, 12, and Alia, 7, flew from Mumbai to received him in Gurgaon during a brief halt of about 35 minutes in the afternoon.

On April 14, he is scheduled to meet Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. He also plans to meet President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Qureshi, the highest revenue earner of his department for the last six years, said during his journey he halted at several places of worship along the route and covered about 32-40 km daily.

The resident of Borivali in Mumbai passed through Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan before reaching Gurgaon in Haryana.

--Indo-Asian News Serivce

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