Modi government to reprise Dandi march for India@75

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart celebrations for the 75th anniversary of India's Independence on Friday by re-tracing Mahatma Gandhi's iconic salt satyagraha with events planned till August 2023, months before the next general elections.

Modi will launch the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' at Ahmedabad on Friday, the 91st anniversary of the Dandi March, which had forced the then British government to withdraw the infamous Salt Act.

A group of 81 youths – the number of people who had accompanied Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 – will walk the same route spreading the message of strides made by the country since Independence.

Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel will lead another group of 81 youngsters on a foot march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Nadiad, the district where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born. The minister will take part in the 75 km padayatra that is expected to continue till March 16.

“Government will not be the organiser but a facilitator of these events in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of Independence,” Patel told reporters here adding that the celebrations would continue till August 2023.

In Karnataka, the state government has planned a cultural programmes at Vidurashwatha, Kittur and Shivpura – places associated with the freedom struggle. The Archeological Survey of India has planned events in Bengaluru and Chitradurga Fort.

Symposia, cycle rallies, exhibitions, cultural events have been planned across all states and union territories as part of the launch of 'India@75'.

Patel said the Gujarat government has lined up events at 75 locations across the state on Friday, while in Madhya Pradesh all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members will take part in the celebrations in their respective constituencies.

“We have also taken permission from the Election Commission for programmes in election-bound states,” Patel said adding that events were being planned for every week across the country.