PM participates in program marking culmination of Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign’s Amrit Kalash Yatra
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the programme marking the culmination of Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign’s Amrit Kalash Yatra at Kartavya Path in New Delhi today. The programme also marks the closing ceremony of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. During the program, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Amrit Vatika and Amrit Mahotsav Memorial and launched ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ – MY Bharat platform for youth of the country.
Shri Modi also presented the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Awards to the top 3 performing States or Union Territories as well as Ministries or Departments. The top 3 performing states or union territories are Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Haryana and Rajasthan for the joint third position, while the top 3 performing ministries are Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Education for the joint third position.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that Kartavya Path is witnessing the Mahayagya on the occasion of Sardar Saheb’s birth anniversary. Recalling 12th March 2021 when the initiation of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi Yatra, the Prime Minister observed the conclusion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on 31st October 2023, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. Drawing an analogy to the Dandi March Yatra which saw the participation of every Indian, the Prime Minister drew attention to the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav creating a new record of people’s participation. “Dandi March reignited the flame of independence while Amrit Kaal is turning out to be the resolution of the 75-year-old journey of India’s development journey”, Shri Modi emphasized. He underlined that the 2 year long celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav are coming to a conclusion with the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ Abhiyan. He also noted the foundation stone laying of Smarak which will remind the future generations of today’s historic organization. He also congratulated the states, union territories and ministries that were recipients of the best-performing awards.
He pointed out that as we bid goodbye to a grand celebration, we are initiating a new resolution with MY Bharat. “MY Bharat organization is going to play a big role in nation-building in the 21st century”, PM Modi said.
Pointing to the collective strength of Indian youth, the Prime Minister said “Meri Mati Mera Desh Abhiyan is a live example of how the youth of India can organize and achieve every goal.” PM Modi highlighted the countless youth participation from every nook and corner of the country and said that 8500 Amrit Kalash have reached the Kartavya Path from all over the country and crores have Indians have taken Panch Pran pledge and have uploaded selfies on the campaign website.
Explaining why soil was used as an element for the culmination of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister cited the words of a poet and said that it is the soil of the land where civilizations have flourished, humans have progressed and it holds the imprint of eons. “India’s soil has consciousness. It has a life form that has prevented the downfall of civilization”, Shri Modi said, noting how a multitude of civilizations have collapsed while India still stands strong. “The soil of India creates an affinity for the soul towards spirituality”, he said as he highlighted the numerous sagas of India’s valor and touched upon the contributions of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Highlighting how every citizen is deeply rooted to the soil of the motherland, the Prime Minister said, “What is life if it is not repaying the debts of the soil of India.” He underlined that soil from the thousands of ‘Amrit Kalash’ that have arrived in Delhi will remind everyone of the sentiment of Kartavya or duty and inspire each one to accomplish the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. He urged everyone to contribute towards nation-building.
The Prime Minister said that the Amrit Vatika which will be established with saplings from all over the country will teach the coming generation about ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The Prime Minister told the audience about the artwork Jan, Janani, Janambhoomi in the New Parliament Building which has been made by 75 women artists from the soil of all the states.
The Prime Minister said that the most positive impact of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) which ran for about 1000 days has been on the young generation of India. He said that today’s generation has not experienced slavery and he is also the first Prime Minister born in free India. He said that AKAM has reminded the people that there was not a single moment during the foreign rule when there was no movement for freedom and no section or region was untouched by these movements.
