Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the flag-off ceremony of the Dandi March or Salt Movement to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 12, 2021. (PTI Photo: Kamal Kishore)Dandi March Highlights: On the 91st anniversary of the historic Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off 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.
The government plans on holding 75 events as part of the celebrations, which will be held till August 15, 2023.
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.
An artist paints a picture of the Dandi March near Navagam. (Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)
PM Modi has flagged off a symbolic Dandi March. The march will see 81 people walk the route that was taken by Mahatma Gandhi and 80 others in 1930 from Ahmedabad to Dandi. It will end on April 6.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India will bring the achievements of its society in the freedom movement and after that in front of the world more vigorously. He urges people from all walks of life to highlight the freedom struggle.
"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, says the Prime Minister. "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," says 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," says PM Modi.
PM Narendra Modi pays his respects 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 says. 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 is now addressing the gathering. He says today is the first day of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. "It has started 75 weeks before 15 August, 2022 and will run till 15 August 2023," he says.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sabarmati ashram this morning, where he paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and signed the visitor's book. In his message, PM Modi said, "During this festival, the country will remember every step and moment of the independence movement and move forward with new energy for future development. I believe that with Bapu's blessings, we Indians will perform our duty and prove the objective of this Amrit Mahotsav."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad where he pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, and writes a message in the guest book.
Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav are a series of events to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence and will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari, according to a statement by the Ministry of Culture.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel is addressing an event at Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya in Rajkot. After felicitating a Freedom Fighter, he speaks to a gathering: "Over the next two years, the government will strive to bring alive India's freedom struggle so that the younger generation can learn about it. In 1930, when Gandhi embarked on the Dandi March, 10,000 people had joined. It was a huge response given the population of the Akhand Bharat which then also included today's Pakistan.
"Gandhi had many dreams. Besides Independence, non-violence, boycott of foreign goods, self-reliance were dear to him. This is the reason PM Narendra Modi has launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. We have to repeatedly think about our history and learn it by heart since, as the history of the world teaches us, the people who forget their history are wiped out from the face of the world," he adds. (Reported by Gopal Kateshiya)
The Dandi March or Salt March was part of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protest against the British monopoly on production of salt. Led by Gandhi, 78 people started the 24-day march on March 12 and reached Dandi on April 5, 1930. After making salt at Dandi, Gandhi headed to Dharasana Salt Works, 40 km south, but was arrested on May 5. Sohini Ghosh explains
Today's event will launch India’s celebration of 75 years of independence — Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is being held 75 weeks before India turns 75 on August 15, 2022. Today, a dedicated website and logo is expected to be unveiled by PM Modi. The celebrations will include 75 events for 75 weeks to be held at 75 places of historical significance across the country.
The government has formed a high-level national committee to commemorate the occasion, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This 259-member committee comprises Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, and eminent citizens from all walks of life.
This morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Hriday Kunj in the Sabarmati Ashram, managed by the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMT), at around 10.30 am. He will be accompanied by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and others. Following the Hriday Kunj visit, PM Modi will proceed to a ground beside Abhay Ghat to address a gathering. This event is expected to be streamed live at 75 locations in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart celebrations for India's 75th Indepdendence Day today. He will flag off a symbolic Dandi March in Ahmedabad, on the 91th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March. Ahead of the event, PM Modi tweeted, "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." Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates!