Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating the "Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav" (Festival of Independence) in Gujarat state on Friday to formally kick-start the grand commemoration of 75 years of the nation's independence from British rule.
He will also launch a 'Padyatra' ('Freedom March') from Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in the city of Ahmedabad.
Commencing from the Sabarmati Ashram, the 241-mile (388 km) march will conclude in Dandi Village.
It was on this day in 1930 that Mahatma Gandhi launched a defiant march to the sea in protest of the British monopoly on salt. He had set out from the Sabarmati area with 78 followers on a 241-mile (388 km) march to Dandi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
Buy any local product and post a picture on social media using #VocalForLocal.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2021
A Charkha will be installed near Magan Niwas at Sabarmati Ashram. It will rotate full circle with each Tweet related to Aatmanirbharta.
This shall also become a catalyst for a people’s movement.
PM @narendramodi inaugurates 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' at Sabarmati Ashram today to mark the celebration of 75 years of Independence. PM paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and also signed visitors Book. #AmritMahotsav #AmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/yLNsGVWgyQ
— chowkidar Prashant k Gosavi (@GosaviPtashant) March 12, 2021
According to the federal Ministry of Culture, a “Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav” programme will be held every week. Apart from the Culture Ministry, other ministries will participate in the event. These programmes will also be organised in all the Indian embassies outside the country.
Apart from Prime Minister Modi's event at Sabarmati Ashram, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has also identified 16 other locations where celebrations will be launched today to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence in 2022.
This will include cultural programmes and different events. The first of the 16 events will begin at Qila Rai Pithora, a fort in Delhi.
The government has also formed a 259-member national committee under Prime Minister Modi's chairmanship, to plan and implement the programmes for the 75th year of the country’s independence.
The state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh have also planned massive events.
On Friday, a bicycle rally was organised in the north Indian state of Punjab’s Amritsar city to kick start the celebrations.
#Punjab: अमृतसर में आजादी की 75वीं वर्षगांठ मनाने की शुरुआत के लिए साइकिल रैली आयोजित की गई। इसे डिप्टी कमिश्नर ने झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया। उन्होंने कहा, "आजादी की 75वीं वर्षगांठ मनाने के लिए साइकिल रैली से शुरुआत की गई है। यह जलियावाला बाग से शुरू होकर कंपनी बाग में समाप्त होगी।" pic.twitter.com/J6ba7t54Fi
— News1Indiatweet (@News1IndiaTweet) March 12, 2021
In southern India, Telangana State Chief K. Chandrashekar Rao will unfurl the national flag at Public Garden in Hyderabad city to formally launch the celebrations that will last for 75 weeks. It will be followed by a police march-past and releasing of balloons into the air.
Live: CM Sri KCR participating in 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav' at Public Gardens. #AmritMahotsav https://t.co/aJrXCin02E
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) March 12, 2021
Earlier this week, the Delhi government announced that it would install 500 national flags at various locations of the national capital city.
Deputy State Chief Manish Sisodia has also announced a separate budget for programmes on the life of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and the contributions made by late Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in framing the Constitution of India.
पूरी दिल्ली में 500 बड़े तिरंगे लगाएगी केजरीवाल सरकार#DelhiBudget2021 pic.twitter.com/CQdhFTCBro
— Javed Khan (@Iam_JKhan) March 9, 2021
