Mumbai : 27 October 2023

On the occasion of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations of India's Independence, the Central Government has undertaken  the campaign 'Meri Mati, Mera Desh'.  Under this campaign, soil and rice grains are being collected from 6 lakh villages and urban wards across India.  Through the same initiative, a state-level  'Amrit Kalash Yatra' ceremony of  holy soil collected from all over the state of Maharashtra, was organised at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai today.  For this Amrit Kalash Yatra, soil has been collected from households across the State and a total of 900 volunteers have reached Mumbai with around 414 soil kalashes (urns filled with soil).  After the conclusion of this state level Amrit Kalash Yatra ceremony, all these volunteers will leave for Delhi by a special train from Mumbai Central today with the Amrit Kalash. A grand function has been organized at  the 'Kartavya Path' in New Delhi and these volunteers from Maharashtra will participate in it.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, was present for the Amrit Kalash Yatra ceremony in Mumbai  as Chief Guest.  Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said " This initiative is not only a cultural program but also an inspiring event that instils and propels  a sense of patriotism and unity." The  Chief Minister performed a Pooja of the Amrit Kalash by offering floral garlands.  The Chief Minister also asserted that Maharashtra's participation in this initiative will be carved in golden letters at the national level. The Chief Minister also reiterated  that the State Government had taken many important decisions for the overall development of the State under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Minister for Culture, Government of Maharashtra, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister for Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra, Girish Mahajan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Iqbal Singh Chahal, Director, Maharashtra, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Prakash Manure and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

This state-level ceremony under the aegis of 'Meri Mati, Mera Desh'  and 'Amrit Kalash Yatra' was organised jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Government of Maharashtra and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Earlier, the ceremony began with patriotic cultural programs.

About “Meri Mati Mera Desh” :

A nationwide campaign “Meri Mati Mera Desh” was launched on August 9, 2023 to pay homage to the ‘heroes’ who sacrificed their lives for the country.  The objective of this campaign is to honor the brave freedom fighters and heroes (valiant fighters-Veer) who sacrificed their lives for the country.  In this campaign, various events have been organized across the country to commemorate the heroes.  As part of the campaign, activities were also conducted to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the brave heroes for the country through  Sheela Phalakams (stone plaque memorial) dedicated to freedom fighters and security forces, Panch Pran Pratigya(five pledges), Vasudha Vandan and Viron Ka Naman.

In rural areas it was decided to combine soils from the Kalash at the ward levels to form a ward-level Kalash. In urban areas, soil was collected at ward level and consolidated in large urban local bodies. These urns from each state capital will now be ceremonially sent to the national capital, Delhi, for the national event.  By the end of October, more than 8500 kalashes are expected to arrive in Delhi for the major event.  To commemorate the Amrit Mahotsav of India's Independence, soil collected from all corners of India will be spread around the Amrit Vatika and Amrit Smarak area.

 

NJ/AS/PM

 

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