Union Min Mansukh Mandaviya launches ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ to commemorate 150th Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
On Monday in New Delhi, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports carried out the launch of the Sardar @150 Unity March, a nationwide drive that ties youthful energy to India’s legacy of unity. The campaign is part of a larger series of celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man” of India, whose efforts stitched together more than 560 princely states into a single nation.
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, rolled out the march with senior cabinet minister Raksha Khadse. “It’s not merely a commemoration,” Mandaviya told reporters. “It is a national movement that invites young people to help build the country. Just as the Sardar united India, we must channel today’s youth to strengthen unity and push forward a developed, self‑reliant nation.”
Digital kick‑off
The march starts online. From now until the end of the month, youths aged 15–29 can join:
- Social media reel competitions – film short clips that capture the spirit of the Sardar.
- Essay contests – write about the Sardar’s impact on modern India.
- Quiz tournaments through the Sardar @150 Young Leaders Program – test your knowledge of the Iron Man and win prizes.
The top three winners will be announced before the first phase of the physical padyatra, scheduled for late November. Registration details are posted on the MY Bharat portal.
District‑level padyatras
From October 31 to November 25, every parliamentary constituency will see a three‑day walk, covering 8–10 km each day. Local leaders—including state cabinet ministers, MPs, and parliamentarians—will escort the marches. The goal is to showcase every district’s culture, echoing the “Mini Bharat” idea that celebrates unity in diversity.
During the districts’ three‑day walks, participants will:
- Pay tribute to statues and portraits of Sardar Patel.
- Take the Atmanirbhar Bharat pledge.
- Perform cultural acts themed around “Ek Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
- Collect certificates of participation.
- Visit stalls set up along the route to learn about the Modi government’s welfare schemes.
National march
On Constitution Day, November 26, the National Padyatra takes off from Karamsad, the Sardar’s birthplace, and ends on December 6 at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. It will run 152 km, passing through villages where MY Bharat, NSS, and NCC volunteers will conduct community development projects.
A group of 150 top young leaders, chosen from the Sardar @150 quiz, will march with the national event—symbolising the future of nation‑building. Each evening, scholars will host Sardar Gatha sessions, telling inspiring stories from the Iron Man’s life and reminding participants of his pivotal role in uniting India.
Why it matters
The march is more than a march. It is a rallying cry for the next generation to embody Patel’s vision of bonded states, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s push for a developed and self‑reliant India. By rallying citizens across the country in both virtual and physical form, the government hopes to win hearts in a story of past unity and future progress.
The Sardar @150 Unity March and the Viksit Bharat Padyatras aim to keep India’s flame of unity burning while inviting youth to actively shape the nation’s next chapter.
Source: ianslive
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