New Delhi, Oct 6 (NationPress) Motivated by the Prime Minister’s vision of Jan Bhagidari in Rashtranirman, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, via MY Bharat, initiated the Viksit Bharat Padyatras on Monday. This program is designed to enhance national pride, foster civic engagement, and boost unity among youth through commemorative and participatory events.

The year 2025 will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. In tribute to his legacy, the Government of India, under PM Narendra Modi, is embarking on a two-year celebration from 2024 to 2026 that honors his significant contributions to the nation.

On Monday, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, along with MoS Raksha Khadse, announced the launch of the Sardar@150 Unity March, a nationwide campaign spearheaded by MY Bharat to celebrate Sardar Patel’s lasting influence.

This initiative, lasting for two months, aims to inspire unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among youth, honoring Sardar Patel’s legacy of uniting India and encouraging them to embody the principles of Ek Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat in their daily lives.

In his address to the media, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized that the Sardar@150 Unity March is not just a commemoration but a national movement to engage youth in nation-building. He stated, “Just as Sardar Patel united over 560 princely states to create a robust and unified India, this initiative aims to channel the energy of young Indians towards reinforcing national unity and advancing the vision of a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

He further noted, “Sardar gifted us an independent India; with PM Modi’s leadership, we are progressing towards a Viksit and Atmanirbhar India. The transition from independence to development is the true homage to the Iron Man.”

The digital phase of the Sardar@150 Unity March commenced on Monday, featuring activities like Social Media Reel Competitions, Essay Writing, and the Sardar@150 Young Leaders Program Quiz for youth aged 15–29 years.

This phase aims to engage young people nationwide and generate momentum for the upcoming padyatras. Registration details and guidelines are available on the MY Bharat platform. Top winners will be revealed before the National Padyatra starts on November 26.

The initial phase of the campaign will consist of District-Level Padyatras, taking place from October 31 to November 25. These padyatras will occur over three consecutive days in every parliamentary constituency, covering all districts across the nation with 8 to 10 Kms each day. Led by State Cabinet Ministers and MPs in each constituency, these padyatras will showcase the true essence of “Mini Bharat” on the streets, highlighting the richness of local cultures and traditions, reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

During the padyatra days, participants will pay tribute to statues and portraits of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, take the Atmanirbhar Bharat pledge, and enjoy cultural performances celebrating the theme of Ek Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat. Participation certificates will also be distributed, and awareness stalls featuring the Modi Government’s welfare schemes will be set up along the padyatra route.

The National-level padyatra will kick off on November 26, 2025, coinciding with Constitution Day, and will wrap up on December 6. This historic padyatra will span 152 Kms, starting from Karamsad, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and concluding at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia.

As part of pre-event activities, social development initiatives will be conducted in every village along the route, with active involvement from MY Bharat volunteers, NSS volunteers, NCC cadets, and young leaders.

A group of 150 exceptional young leaders, chosen through the Sardar@150 Young Leaders Program Quiz, will participate in the National-level Padyatra, symbolizing youth leadership in nation-building.

At the end of each padyatra day, Sardar Gatha sessions will be held, where distinguished scholars will share inspiring narratives from Patel’s life, emphasizing his critical role in uniting India.