More than one lakh citizens turned out in Ahmedabad on 12 August for a large-scale Tiranga Yatra, marching from the Big Bazaar-Raypur area to Sarangpur in a show of patriotic fervour ahead of Independence Day. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flagged off the procession by unfurling the national flag at Raipur, with the event drawing participants ranging from schoolchildren to senior citizens.

What the Yatra Covered

The procession, organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, also marked 150 years of Vande Mataram. The route wound through several parts of the old city, passing landmarks including Raipur Char Rasta, Khadia Gate, and Sarangpur Char Rasta, where 11 welcome stages were set up and decorated in the colours of the Tricolour.

Cultural performances and patriotic songs — including renditions of 'Vande Mataram', 'Sare Jahan Se Achha', and 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' — were held at each stage. Teachers from the Ahmedabad School Board carried a 300-foot-long national flag during the march. The yatra concluded with a fireworks display at Sarangpur, where Sanghavi and other dignitaries paid floral tribute to the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Key Dignitaries and Participants

Minister of State for Urban Development Darshana Vaghela also participated in the procession. Police platoons, State Reserve Police personnel, the police band, fire department personnel, Home Guards, students, teachers accompanied by a scout band, sportspersons, and representatives of various communities and organisations joined the march.

The AMC prepared theme-based tableaux highlighting cleanliness, the environment, patriotism, and the city's development as part of the procession. Notably, the yatra had originally been scheduled for 11 August but was rescheduled to 12 August.

What Sanghavi Said

Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said: 'From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from villages to metropolises, there is only one colour of patriotism today... the colour of the Tricolour.' He also paid tribute to the armed forces, stating that 'soldiers continued to stand firm to protect the country in extreme heat, torrential rain, severe cold and other difficult circumstances.'

Sanghavi urged citizens to express gratitude to soldiers and their families, and appealed to people to carry 'the message of patriotism across the country with slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' He also reminded participants to maintain the dignity of the national flag — ensuring it does not fall on the road and is folded and preserved respectfully after the procession.

Broader Context

Sanghavi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative with transforming the campaign into a nationwide people's movement, with participation cutting across age groups and geographies. The Ahmedabad yatra is one of several such events held across India in the days leading up to Independence Day on 15 August, reflecting the Centre's push to deepen civic engagement with the national flag.