BuzzBytes
Kathua, Oct 16: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the ‘Unity March Ek Bharat, Akhand Bharat’ “Padyatra” in Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir, as part of the nationwide Sardar@150 campaign honoring the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The march began at Dream Land Park and concluded at Government Degree College, Kathua, drawing enthusiastic participation from students, NCC cadets, local representatives, and the broader public.
The Sardar@150 Unity March is a cornerstone of a major national campaign launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through the MY Bharat platform. It seeks to instill a spirit of unity, patriotism, duty, and social responsibility among the youth, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Ek Bharat, Akhand Bharat, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The campaign began digitally on October 6 and will take place in two phases: a digital segment featuring social media contests, essay writing, and quizzes, followed by district-level padyatras covering 8-10 km each from October 31 to November 25 across India.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, while addressing the press, underscored Sardar Patel’s integral role in integrating over 560 princely states into India and stated that the history of Jammu & Kashmir would have been different had Patel been given a free hand in handling the region post-Independence. He emphasized drawing inspiration from Patel’s legacy to promote unity, tackle challenges like drug abuse, and foster self-reliance and national integration among the youth.
The campaign is set to culminate with a historic national padyatra from Sardar Patel’s birthplace, Karamsad, to the Statue of Unity at Kevadia, Gujarat, on Constitution Day, November 26. Thousands of youth, including student leaders and volunteers, will participate in the concluding march, amplifying the spirit of national unity envisioned by Sardar Patel and carried forward by the current government.
The comprehensive initiative features allied activities such as yoga and health camps, lectures, debates, Swadeshi melas, Swachh Bharat campaigns, and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyans in every district. Through essay competitions, awareness drives, and mass youth outreach on the My Bharat portal, Sardar@150 Unity March is mobilizing a new generation in the ideals of national integration and pride.
