IT Correspondent
New Delhi, Mar 12:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Padyatra’ (Freedom March) from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad and inaugurated the curtain raiser activities of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (India@75) on Friday.
He also launched various other cultural and digital initiatives for the India@75 celebrations. Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Union Minister of State Prahalad Singh Patel and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were present on the occasion, the PMO said in a tweet.
Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav(People’s festival) in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari(People’s participation).
Addressing the gathering at Sabarmati Ashram, the Prime Minister noted the launch of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ 75 weeks before August 15, 2020 which will continue till August 15, 2023. He paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and great personalities who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. The Prime Minister reiterated five pillars i.e. Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolves at 75 as guiding force for moving forward keeping dreams and duties as inspiration.
The Prime Minister asserted that Azadi Amrit Mahotsav means elixir of energy of independence. It means elixir of inspirations of the warriors of freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges and nectar of Aatmnirbharta.
‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’
A National Implementation Committee headed by the Union Home Minister has been constituted to chalk out policies and planning of various events to be undertaken under the Commemoration.
Padyatra
The Padyatra, will be undertaken by 81 marchers from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi in Navsari, a journey of 241 miles that will end on April 05,2021, lasting for 25 days. The Padyatra will be joined by different groups of people on the way to Dandi. Union Minister Prahalad Singh Patel, is leading the first lap of 75 kilometers of the padyatra.
Curtain Raiser Initiatives under India@75<br< a=””> />The curtain raiser activities include production of a special film, the launch of a website and song, Aatmanirbhar Charkha and Aatmanirbhar Incubator. Along with these initiatives, a cultural program presenting the celebration of the indomitable spirit of the country will also be organized. It will include music, dance, recitation, reading of the Preamble (each line in a different language, representing the different regions of the country). Depicting the youth power, as the future of India there will be 75 voices in the choir as well as 75 dancers in the event.
State and UT Governments are also organizing programs. In addition to these programs, The Archaeological Survey of India and Zonal Cultural Centres under the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Youth Affairs and TRIFED have planned various activities to mark the occasion.</br<>
