The Central Government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is launching the 'Viksit Bharat Padyatra'. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of nation-building through public participation, this initiative aims to instil a spirit of national service and unity among the country's youth.
The campaign is dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Its digital launch, titled the 'Sardar@150 Unity March', was initiated by Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on the My Bharat portal. For the next two months, Sardar Patel's message of unity will be promoted across various platforms.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Sports (Independent Charge), Girish Chandra Yadav, at a press conference in Aliganj. Also present was Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, Sports Secretary and Director General of the Youth Welfare Department.
Campaign Structure And Phases
The Padyatra will be conducted in two main phases:
Phase 1: District-Level Marches
Duration: October 31 to November 25.
Activity: Three-day foot marches, covering 8 to 10 kilometres, will be organised in every parliamentary constituency across all districts.
Leadership: These marches will be led by State Ministers, Members of Parliament, local administration officials, and representatives from My Bharat and the NCC.
Events: During the district marches, tributes will be paid at statues of Sardar Patel, cultural programmes will be held, and certificates will be awarded to distinguished local talents.
Phase 2: National-Level March
Duration: November 26 to December 6.
Route: A 152 km march from Sardar Patel's birthplace, Karamsad, to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia.
Participants: Two to five representatives from each district will participate in this national march.
On-Route Events: At 150 locations along the route, exhibitions on the life of Sardar Patel and India's diverse culture will be organised, along with 'Sardar Gatha' (Saga of Sardar) programmes.
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Pre-March Activities And Youth Engagement
Prior to the marches, a series of engagement programmes will be held in schools and colleges to build momentum. These include:
- Essay writing competitions
- Debates
- Street plays (nukkadnatak)
- Indigenous fairs (swadeshi melas)
- Yoga camps
Cleanliness Drives
As part of the initiative, participating youth will also be administered an oath to work towards a drug-free India and to adopt indigenous goods.
Young people wishing to participate in the 'Viksit Bharat Padyatra' can register by joining the My Bharat portal.