Ahmedabad: PM Modi has flagged off on Friday, a symbolic 386-kilometre ‘Dandi March’ from Ahmedabad, which will culminate on April 6 at Dandi in Navsari district. The event started a 75 week countdown to India’s 75th anniversary of Independence — Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
At the outset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and also garlanded his portrait at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters and said India would showcase to the entire world its achievements. Apart from the freedom struggle, he said four pillars — ideas, achievements, actions and resolve — would inspire the dreams and duties of India.
On March 12, 1930, Gandhi led a group of 80 people on a 24-day march against the British monopoly on production of salt. This non-violent protest came to be known as the Dandi March or Salt March.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Whether we Indians have lived in the country or abroad, we have proved ourselves with our hard work. We are proud of our Constitution. We are proud of our democratic traditions. India, the mother of democracy, is still moving ahead by strengthening it. Even today, the achievements of India are not only our own, but are going to show light to the whole world, to give hope to entire humanity. Our development, filled with self-sufficiency, is going to speed up development across the world.”
“The country has been making vigorous efforts for the last six years to save the glory of India’s history. Efforts are being made in every state and region… The country completed the revival of the site associated with the Dandi Yatra two years ago. I myself had the opportunity to visit Dandi on this occasion,” said PM Modi.
“At that time, salt was a symbol of India’s self-reliance. Along with the values of India, the British also hurt this self-reliance. People of India had to depend on salt coming from England. Gandhiji understood this chronic pain of the country, caught the pulse of the people. And on seeing this movement, became the movement of every Indian, became the resolution of every Indian,” said PM Modi.
PM Narendra Modi paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion. “I bow to the feet of all the great personalities who participated in India’s freedom struggle and have led the country,” he said.
He lists five pillars, along with the fight for freedom, that will inspire the dreams and duties of independent India. These are Ideas, Achievements, Actions and Resolve.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a website to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The website (india75.nic.in) lists the events and activities that will be held as India marks 75 years of independence. There will be 75 events in the next 75 weeks.
Earlier today, announcing the beginning of the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’, PM Modi said in a tweet: “Today’s #AmritMahotsav programme begins from Sabarmati Ashram, from where the Dandi March began. The March had a key role in furthering a spirit of pride and Aatmanirbharta among India’s people. Going #VocalForLocal is a wonderful tribute to Bapu and our great freedom fighters.”
He added, “Buy any local product and post a picture on social media using #VocalForLocal. A Charkha will be installed near Magan Niwas at Sabarmati Ashram. It will rotate full circle with each Tweet related to Aatmanirbharta. This shall also become a catalyst for a people’s movement.”
The Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. It will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari. The curtain raiser activities are beginning from March 12, 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022.