The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister and a key figure in the nation’s freedom movement, with ‘padyatras’ from October 31 to November 25. All 779 districts of India will participate in this nationwide initiative to honor Patel’s legacy.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, alongside Minister of State for Defence Nikhil Khadse, launched the ‘Sardar@150’ Unity Run initiative at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Monday. This initiative serves not only as a tribute to Sardar Patel but aims to promote youth engagement in nation-building.
“Sardar@150 is not merely a commemoration but a national movement to engage youth in nation-building. Just as Sardar Patel united over 560 princely states to forge a strong and united India, this initiative seeks to channel the energy of young Indians towards strengthening national unity,” said Mandaviya.
The padyatras will consist of three-day events in every parliamentary constituency, covering a distance of 8 to 10 km daily. This massive outreach seeks to galvanize community involvement and respect for Patel’s contributions to national integration.
During the launch, Mandaviya emphasized the programme’s inclusivity. When queried about participation from opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, which has suffered from floods recently, he clarified that this initiative transcends political considerations.
“This has got nothing to do with politics, and I am sure there will be wholehearted participation irrespective of who is in power,” Mandaviya affirmed.
National participation will encompass Union Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and volunteers from organizations like My Bharat, NSS, and NCC, who will help manage logistics and cleanliness efforts throughout the events.
A highlighted segment of the initiative includes a special padyatra from November 26 to December 6. This significant trek will cover 152 km from Karamsad in Gujarat, Sardar Patel’s birthplace, to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, the world’s tallest statue honoring him.
To up the engagement factor, this national padyatra will see participation from a group of 150 young leaders, selected via a national-level quiz competition. Their involvement aims to celebrate and revitalize the legacy of the Iron Man of India.
The nationwide padyatras are not merely events but represent a unified effort to rally the nation, particularly the youth, around the ideals of unity, integrity, and dedication that Sardar Patel embodied throughout his life. The Ministry’s approach seeks to inspire young people to contribute positively to India’s future.
