Shillong, Oct 14: Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday announced the launch of the Sardar@150 Unity March in Meghalaya, a nationwide campaign to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“This campaign aims to awaken the spirit of unity and patriotism across the nation, especially among the youth. We all know Sardar Patel as the Iron Man of India, whose firm belief that “India is one, India is united, and India will remain united for all time” continues to inspire generations. This belief is being carried forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji through the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047,” Shylla told reporters.
He informed that the digital phase of the campaign was launched on 6th October as part of the Sardar@150 Digital Abhiyan, where youth from across India are participating in essay writing, reel-making, and quiz competitions under the Sardar@150 National Essay Competition, Sardar@150 Young Leaders Program, National Reel Competitions hosted on the MY Bharat Portal. Through the Sardar@150 young leaders program, 150 youth will be selected to walk the entire duration of the national padyatra.
Building on this momentum, Shylla announced that from October 31 to November 25, youth will lead padyatras in every district of the country.
Pre-event activities will be scheduled to create a positive and enthusiastic environment before the padyatras begin.
These activities will include: Yoga and health camps, talks and lectures will be organised in schools and colleges on the life and values of Sardar Patel.
Social awareness, mass pledge drives, including the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, Garv Se Swadeshi Sankalp, will be conducted in public places.
To promote the message of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi melas will be held across districts to support local artisans and entrepreneurs.
Cleanliness drives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will be carried out at public spaces, monuments, and water bodies.
Educational institutions, NGOs, voluntary organisations, professional associations and youth networks will be mobilised to spread Sardar Patel’s message of unity and patriotism through coordinated pre-events, ensuring wide awareness and public engagement.
District-level padyatras will take place between 31st October and 25th November, each covering 8-10 km per day, featuring cultural performances, exhibitions on Viksit Bharat, information kiosks on Sardar Patel, and refreshment points managed by MY Bharat volunteers.
“At the start of every district padyatra, participants will take the Atmanirbhar Bharat pledge, followed by felicitation of local youth icons. At every kilometre, halting points will host cultural performances, nukkad nattaks and exhibitions on government schemes, with certificates distributed to participants at the conclusion.
From each district, two to five youth will be selected for a Vehicle Yatra to Karamsad. These representatives will join the National Padyatra from 26 November to 6 December, a 152 km journey from Sardar Patel’s birthplace Karamsad to Ekta Nagar.
“Thousands of youth, along with 150 Sardar Young Leaders, will participate in this eleven-day celebration of the spirit of Sardar, culminating at the Statue of Unity. This movement is not just a march but a national mission to rekindle Sardar Patel’s vision of unity and self-reliance, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s call for a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the minister said.
