PM Modi to launch 'Amrut Mahotsav' to mark 75 years of India's independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday flag off a padyatra (foot march) from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to re-enact the famous Dandi march carried out by Mahatma Gandhi. It will also mark the beginning of 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav', a government initiative to mark 75 years of India's Independence.

"12th March is a special day in India’s glorious history. On that day in 1930, the iconic Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi began. Tomorrow, from Sabarmati Ashram we will commence Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, to mark 75 years since Independence," PM Modi said in a tweet on Thursday.

The event is expected to begin with Modi addressing a gathering on a ground readied near Abhay Ghat, resting place of late prime minister Morarji Desai at around 10.30 am, which will be attended by Gujarat governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and others. After the march is flagged off, the delegates will visit Hriday Kunj, the residence of Gandhi and Kasturba, managed by the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMT).

Explaining the significance of choosing March 12 for the padyatra, the minister said it was on this day in 1930 that Mahatma Gandhi took out the famous Dandi march along with 81 people to break the law imposing tax on salt.

The government has decided to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Independence as 'Amrut Mahotsav' in which weekly events will be organised during the next 75 weeks till August 15 next year.

Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel will lead the Padyatra from Sabarmati Ashram on the beginning of the glorious Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. The padyatra will be joined by different groups of people on the way to Dandi.

"Every week, an event will be held. To ensure involvement of all citizens in this mahotsav, various programmes will be organised with the culture ministry in supporting role," Patel added.

Patel also met the 22 persons who would walk the 75-km route at JMD Hostel in Gandhinagar on Thursday. According to a government official, the flag-off is scheduled at 12.15 pm. The march will follow the original route via Kochrab Ashram and Chandola lake, followed by a night halt at Aslali. Within Ahmedabad, nearly 20 kilometres is expected to be covered, as per the estimate given by the official.

“Three trustees of the Sabarmati Ashram will be present on stage (at the PM’s event),” Patel said.

It was on March 12, 1930 that Gandhiji began the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram against the Salt Laws along with 81 padyatris. During the Padyatra, the Culture Minister will stay overnight with the Padyatris at the place of night halt and the Padyatra will start from the same place the next day.