PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Sports and Youth Welfare minister Rekha Arya informed that a Unity March will be held to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. She informed about this initiative while speaking to the media on Wednesday, stating that various events will take place at both the State and national level to mark the day.
Arya said that the government has decided to make the Unity March a national event aimed at fostering unity. Preparations for this occasion have already begun at the State level. She informed that the celebrations will unfold in three phases, starting with the first phase, during which registration at the My Bharat portal opened on October 6. Individuals of any age and background can register, whether they are from schools, the NCC or other groups, with no limit on the number of participants allowed.
By registering on the aforementioned portal, candidates can participate in social media reel competitions, essay contests, quizzes and various other activities.
Arya further added that the second phase will commence on October 6. She said that during this phase, unity marches will be organised across all 13 districts in the State, from October 31 to November 16. Within this timeframe, each district will organise their march over three days and officials concerned can select these days to conduct the march. These marches will cover a distance of approximately eight to 10 kilometres.
Arya said that following the two phases, two individuals from each district will be chosen to take part in the third phase, scheduled from November 26 to December 6. This phase will feature a 152-kilometre Padyatra from Nadiad in Gujarat, the birthplace of Patel, to the Statue of Unity in Narmada district. She stated that the district magistrate has been assigned as the nodal officer to oversee the march at the district level. Arya encouraged the State’s residents to take part in this event in large numbers.
