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Gujarat will once again be the guide of the country for building patriotism through Dandi Yatra – Gujarat CM

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• Ahmedabad
• Amrut Mahotsav
• Dandi Yatra
• Memorial
• Prime Minister
• Sabarmati

“It’s our duty to apprise the new generation with history of freedom struggle, Dandi March as a 21^st Century symbol of Atmanirbhar”

– Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

“Gujarat to once again emerge as mentor to instill nationalism to the country to build a New India”

– Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

Gandhinagar, Tuesday: Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi march re-enacted this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on March 12 as part of 75^th anniversary (Amrut Mahotsav) of India’s Independence concluded by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in south Gujarat today.

Speaking at the concluding function, Mr. Naidu said that it is our duty to pass on the saga of sacrifices and valour by many illustrious brave sons in our freedom struggle to the new generation. He said that Sabarmati to Dandi was not just a foot march but a campaign to create people’s awareness to free India from the Britishers shackles of slavery.

He recalled that Indians from all parts of the country had then participated in the Dandi march, the atmosphere charged with patriotism gave a new direction to our freedom struggle, which culminated in breaking the infamous Salt Act. They included women fighters like Sarojini Naidu, Rama Devi and Saraswati Devi. Mahatma Gandhi who walked all the way from Sabarmati to Dandi held public meetings at villages he halted sending his message for freedom, cleanliness and untouchability.

Mr. Naidu said that one should learn from Gandhiji as to how to like somebody without disliking, even in the present times. He recalled how Mahatma Gandhi had in his letter to Lord Erwin at that time addressed him as a friend. Politicians may disagree with others’ opinions but should not harbour ill-feelings against others. One should observe decorum in the use of words and language in a democracy.

He said that Gandhiji’s dream was not just India’s freedom but also self-reliance and take the benefits reaching the affluents to the have-nots, without which the freedom remains half won. Today, he said, the Central and the State Governments are working for the welfare of the poor. India has made all round development in the welfare of the poor, roads, electricity, communication, health, education, technology for which all can feel proud.

Referring to negative publicity about farmers’ welfare, Mr. Naidu said that farmers are also frontline warriors in true sense, having contributed record production despite coronavirus pandemic. Vaccines produced by our scientists are being sent to 52 countries. Indian Independence’s 75^th anniversary is an occasion to express our gratitude to freedom fighters. We should learn from our history, he said.

The Vice President took round of the Prarthana Mandir, Saifee Villa Exhibition and National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi, talked with the participants of this year marchers to Dandi and watched a variety entertainment programme staged on the occasion by the artists from Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, besides Gujarat. He released the Postal Cover on Gujarat’s arts recognized with the GI tag.

Expressing his gratitude on behalf of all Gujaratis to the Government of India for launching Indian Independence’s 75^th anniversary celebration, Amrit Mahaotsav, from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also paid his tribute to the satyagrahis at Dandi who with a pinch of salt shook the British Empire.

Mr. Rupani appealed to all to live and die for the nation. Even as India is completing 75 years of Independence, he stressed on the need to acquaint the new generation about our history and instill nationalism to guide India through Dandi Yatra.

He asked all to pledge to work for the all-round development of the state and the nation and provide leadership to the nation, as everybody’s cooperation is inevitable.

Union Tourism and Cultural Minister Prahalad Singh Patel and Sikkim’s Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who were especially present at the function, also spoke on the occasion.

Prominent among those present at the function included Governor Acharya Devvrat, Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Member of Parliament C.R. Patil, Chief Secretary Anil Mukim, Sabarmati Ashram Trustee Sudarshan Iyengar, MPs, MLAs, District and Taluka Panchayat office-bearers and senior officers.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat