Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma flags off rally for Madhya Pradesh; honours Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police riders
Sardar Patel played a historic role in uniting hundreds of princely states to build an undivided India, says Sharma; urges youth to help create a drug-free society
Raipur, October 2026: A national bike rally carrying the message of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India) and “Drug-Free India, Strong India” received a grand welcome in Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district on the occasion of National Unity Day 2026.
Organised under the theme “Fight Against Drugs” under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the rally’s reception and flag-off ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma. At a function held at the PG College Auditorium in Kawardha, he honoured bike riders from the Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police and flagged off the rally for Madhya Pradesh.
Youth should contribute to nation-building inspired by Sardar Patel: Vijay Sharma
Addressing the gathering, Sharma said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, had played a historic role in uniting hundreds of princely states to build an integrated and united India. Patel’s contribution would continue to inspire the country’s unity, integrity and national consciousness, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the bike rally was not merely a journey from one place to another but an important campaign to unite citizens and encourage them to work towards building a drug-free society.
He noted that institutions and systems such as the All India Services, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Aadhaar, One Nation-One Ration Card and the national power grid helped connect different parts of the country.
While differences of opinion and political disagreements were natural in a democracy, commitment to the country’s unity, integrity and democratic values must remain paramount, Sharma said. He urged young people to follow Sardar Patel’s ideals and actively contribute to nation-building.
Tribute to personnel who sacrificed their lives for national security
Referring to the difficult circumstances created by Naxalism in Bastar, Sharma said coordinated efforts by security forces, police, the administration and various agencies had achieved significant progress towards peace and development in the region.
He paid tribute to brave personnel who had made the supreme sacrifice in the service of national security.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that lasting peace, accompanied by better access to education, employment and development opportunities, was essential to bring affected regions firmly into the mainstream of progress.
He appealed to citizens to strengthen national unity and play an active role in the country’s development.
National bike rally to cover 28 states and eight Union Territories
The nationwide bike rally organised to mark National Unity Day is part of a campaign to spread the messages of national integration and a drug-free society across all 28 states and eight Union Territories.
The campaign has been divided into four major zones: North, Central, South and North-East. It involves the participation of police forces from different states, Central Armed Police Forces and central police organisations.
The nationwide campaign will culminate on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
The Central Zone rally covers Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The rally began in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and reached Raipur via Mahasamund on October 16. Following a reception and felicitation ceremony in Raipur, it proceeded through Balodabazar-Bhatapara and Bemetara before reaching Kabirdham on October 18.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police riders felicitated
During the ceremony, Sharma presented mementoes to Samar Singh, leader of the Odisha Police bike rally team, and his fellow riders. He also honoured Ravindra Giri, leader of the Chhattisgarh Police bike rally team, and his colleagues.
He praised the riders for carrying the message of national unity and a drug-free India across the country.
Guests, young people and other citizens also participated in the awareness campaign by taking selfies while promoting the message of a drug-free society.
Deputy Chief Minister flags off rally for Madhya Pradesh
At the conclusion of the programme, Sharma flagged off the national bike rally for Madhya Pradesh.
A team from the Kabirdham Police, under the direction of Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav and led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prashant Dewangan, also joined the rally alongside the riders.
District police personnel accompanied the rally up to Dhawaipani on the district border, helping spread the message of national unity and a drug-free society.
The rally will proceed through Jabalpur, Bhopal and Indore in Madhya Pradesh before reaching Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on October 31.
Those present at the ceremony included Municipal Council President Chandraprakash Chandravanshi, District Panchayat President Ishwari Sahu, Janpad Panchayat Vice-President Ganesh Tiwari, MLA representative Golu Yadav, Collector Tulika Prajapati, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Additional Superintendent of Police Hemsagar Sidar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Ashish Shukla, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Prashant Dewangan. Police personnel, young trainers from Swami Vivekananda Academy and a large number of prominent citizens also attended.
Rally riders welcomed with garlands and tilak in Kawardha
On October 18, when the national bike rally entered Kabirdham district, riders from the Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police were warmly welcomed at Signal Chowk in Kawardha with flower garlands and traditional tilak.
On the occasion, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav cautioned young people about the harmful consequences of drug use and urged them to stay away from intoxicating substances.
He encouraged youth to channel their energy into education, sports and other constructive activities. He also appealed to them to inform the police about the illegal drug trade and support efforts to build a drug-free society.
