Paying Homage to the Iron Man of India
Dignitaries, including Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura; and Union Minister Smt. Anupriya Patel, paid floral tributes at Sardar Patel’s ancestral home in Karamsad. Pratima Sanman ceremonies at key points along the route honoured Sardar Patel’s unparalleled contribution to national integration and nation-building.
Flagging Off the National Padyatra
The inauguration at Shastri Maidan, Vallabh Vidyanagar, was attended by senior officials, ministers, university vice-chancellors, youth representatives, and thousands of MY Bharat volunteers. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s blessings, conveyed through a written message, encouraged youth participation and highlighted the pivotal role of young citizens as pillars of India’s strength and unity. The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Pledge was administered before the march officially commenced.
Route and Cultural Engagement
On Day 1, padyatris covered 10.40 km through Anand district, visiting ten thematic points that embodied Sardar Patel’s vision of unity, discipline, and collective duty. Public outreach, Pratima Sanman, and exhibitions including one on “Sardar and the Foundations of Agricultural Cooperatives” reinforced community engagement and highlighted Patel’s contributions to agriculture and cooperative movements.
Pravah Road Yatras Across India
The National Padyatra runs parallel with four Pravah Road Yatras: Ganga Pravah from Delhi, Yamuna Pravah from Jaipur, Narmada Pravah from Nagpur, and Godavari Pravah from Mumbai (commencing 28th November). These yatras engage youth across diverse regions, fostering cultural exchange and convergence toward a unified national message. Participants from the Pravahs will join the main Padyatra in Anand, Gujarat.
Evening Cultural Festivities
The first evening halt at Navli featured vibrant cultural expressions, including folk performances, patriotic songs, and street plays illustrating Sardar Patel’s leadership and the unification of princely states. These activities strengthened public participation and celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage.
Continuing the Journey of Unity
Over the next ten days, the National Padyatra will traverse multiple districts, organizing exhibitions, Sardar Gathas, Gram Sabhas, cultural programmes, and community interactions. The initiative continues to reinforce Sardar Patel’s enduring legacy of national harmony, social responsibility, and collective purpose.
