A run for tiranga
Khalid Qureshi, a senior ticket checker with Western Railways, has taken up the onus of making the tiranga popular in every Indian home. Qureshi set out on a mission “I Love My Tiranga” on January 26 as a part of which he is running with the Indian flag from Mumbai to Delhi.
Qureshi has been one of the highest revenue earners in his department for the last six years. His father, a Divisional Chief Ticket Inspector, too has won recognition for his meticulous service. Qureshi says, “One day while talking about our achievements and the awards we have received, we realised that while we have many trophies at home, we don’t have a tiranga. The thought took root in my mind. And when we unfurled the national flag at home, I wanted to send across the same message to others that the tiranga should not only be unfurled on days of national importance or when there’s a special moment but everyday. Hence, I started working on the mission.”
Qureshi chalked out a plan of starting a run from Gateway of India, Mumbai to India Gate, Delhi. However, his wife wasn’t too pleased with the idea. “She was concerned about my health and well-being. But I assured her and she became supportive,” he says.
Qureshi is now on his way to reaching Ahmedabad after which he has to halt at 33 more places. He has already been to 23 places and spread his message. “I have been attending events and going to schools to inspire children at each of these places,” he says and adds that “it is really fulfilling when people on the highway see me with the flag and greet me with Vande Mataram or Jai Hind”.
In the journey, the most gratifying experience for Qureshi was when in Gujarat, he got an invitation to go to Sarai village in the interiors of Navsari. “It was like a breakthrough for me. The national flag was proudly hoisted outside all the houses in the village. The lampposts were painted in tri-colour. I felt that my message has got through,” he says.
Qureshi says he is fit and fine, and all charged up to complete his run.
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