Ticket collector runs for Tricolour

His love for the Tricolour has brought him on the road, literally. To create awareness about the importance of the Tricolor, Khalid Qureshi, 40, a resident of Mumbai, has started a campaign 'I love Tiranga' as part of which he and his team of four others will run the distance of 1,900 km from Mumbai to Delhi. Qureshi reached Surat last week after covering 300 km.

Qureshi, a senior ticket collector at Western Railway, started his run from Gateway of India in Mumbai and will end his campaign at India Gate in Delhi.

"Indian families will have all amenities in their homes, but they seldom keep place for the National Flag. They hoist the flag only during national festivals. Through this campaign, I want to urge Indians to place the Tricolour in their homes and offices and feel proud of their nation," Qureshi said.

According to Qureshi, his dream will be fulfilled only when all Indians involve Tricolor in their daily lives. After reaching Delhi, he will meet President of India Pratibha Patil and present a Tricolour to her. Throughout their run to Surat, Qureshi and his team distributed flags to people. They gifted the Tricolor to nine temples, four masjids and one church and gurudwara each. They also urged them to hoist the flag on their premises to create a sense of nationality among their followers.