Pradhan joins Tiranga Yatra in Sambalpur, hails Tricolour as symbol of unity

Key Takeaways

Dharmendra Pradhan joined a Tiranga Yatra in Sambalpur, Odisha on August 9, 2026 .

He described the Tricolour as the symbol of India's national pride, self-respect, and unity.

The event was held under the #HarGharTiranga and #TirangaYatra campaign banners.

The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign was originally launched in July 2022 to mark 75 years of Indian independence .

Pradhan posted in Odia, underscoring the event's regional cultural resonance in his home state.

The Tricolour flew high in Sambalpur, Odisha, on Sunday, August 9, 2026, as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined a Tiranga Yatra, calling the national flag the living embodiment of every Indian's hopes, pride, and aspiration.

Writing in Odia, Pradhan declared: 'ତ୍ରିରଙ୍ଗା ଆମ ଜାତୀୟ ଗୌରବ, ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନ ଓ ଏକତାର ପ୍ରତୀକ' — 'The Tricolour is the symbol of our national pride, self-respect, and unity. Our national flag is the reflection of the hopes, aspirations, and progress of crores of citizens of this country.'

Sambalpur as a flashpoint for the flag movement

Sambalpur, a culturally significant city in western Odisha, hosted the Yatra — a public march celebrating and honouring the national flag. Pradhan, who represents Odisha in the Union Cabinet, has consistently used his home state as a platform for high-visibility national campaigns. The event drew on the #HarGharTiranga and #TirangaYatra movements, with four images shared from the ground.

Har Ghar Tiranga: four years and still marching

The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign was launched by the Government of India in July 2022 to mark 75 years of independence under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav umbrella. Its core ask was simple and sweeping: every household in the country displays the Tricolour. What began as a one-time independence anniversary gesture has since become a recurring national ritual, with state-level Tiranga Yatras becoming a fixture of the patriotic calendar.

The campaign's longevity reflects a deliberate central government strategy — using the flag not just as a symbol but as an active instrument of national integration messaging, repeated year after year across every state.

Four years on, the energy in Sambalpur on Sunday showed the campaign has lost none of its mobilising power at the grassroots.

Point of View

Not a one-off anniversary stunt. For Pradhan personally, maintaining a high-profile Odia identity while holding a national portfolio keeps his regional base warm. The Tricolour, in this framing, becomes both a civic symbol and a soft-power instrument of the ruling dispensation.

NationPress

9 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign?

Har Ghar Tiranga is a Government of India campaign launched in July 2022 urging every household to display the national flag, initially as part of the 75th independence anniversary celebrations under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It has since continued as a recurring patriotic initiative.

What is a Tiranga Yatra?

A Tiranga Yatra is a public march or procession held to honour and celebrate the Indian national flag, typically organised around Independence Day as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

Why did Dharmendra Pradhan participate in the Sambalpur Tiranga Yatra?

As Union Education Minister and a senior BJP leader from Odisha, Pradhan joined the Sambalpur event to support the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and reaffirm the national flag as a symbol of unity and progress for citizens of the region.

Where is Sambalpur and why is it significant?

Sambalpur is a major city in western Odisha, known for its cultural heritage and as a regional hub. It is part of Dharmendra Pradhan's home state and has been a venue for several central government outreach events.

What did Dharmendra Pradhan say about the Tricolour?

Pradhan stated that the Tricolour is the symbol of India's national pride, self-respect, and unity, and that the national flag reflects the hopes, aspirations, and progress of crores of Indian citizens.