Celebrations launched to mark 75 years of India independence
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, the government’s initiative to mark 75 years of India’s Independence.
Modi said the 75th anniversary celebrations will continue till August 15, 2023, adding conscious efforts have been made in the last six years to preserve the history of unsung heroes of the country. The prime minister flagged off a padyatra (foot march) from Sabarmati Ashram to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi march.
The padyatra is being undertaken by 81 marchers from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi in Navsari, a journey of 386 kilometer.
The march will end after 25 days, on April 5.
‘We are proud of our Constitution and democratic traditions. India is the mother of democracy and we are marching ahead by strengthening it. India’s achievements are not just our own. Our achievements are showing light to the entire world,’ Modi said after launching the celebrations.
India’s Atmanirbhar approach of development will give momentum to the development journey of the world, he said. ‘Five pillars - Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolves at 75 - are the guiding force for moving forward,’ he said.
Listing the contributions made by freedom fighters and different incidents related to the freedom struggle, Modi said, ‘The country has been making a conscious effort for the last six years to preserve this history, in every state and every region.’
The revival of the site associated with the Dandi Yatra was completed two years ago. The site where Netaji Subhash (Chandra Bose) hoisted the tricolour in Andaman after the formation of the country’s first independent government has also been revived.
‘The Andaman and Nicobar islands are named after the freedom struggle. Places associated with Babasaheb (Ambedkar) have been developed in the form of Panchteerthas. The memorial in Jallianwala Bagh and Paika movement memorial have also been developed,’ Modi said.
After landing at Ahmedabad airport, Modi drove to Sabarmati Ashram, where he paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He also visited ‘Hriday Kunj’, the house in the Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi stayed with his wife Kasturba from 1918 to 1930.
Modi wrote in the visitors’ book that the Mahotsav is a tribute to our freedom fighters and freedom struggle.