Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday walked the Dandi path from Kareli to Gajera with 80 other padyatris in Gujarat’s Vadodara district. He covered a distance of about 15 km.
On March 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the – “Dandi March” from Sabarmati Ashram on the beginning of the glorious Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It will conclude on April 5.
Chief minister Sangma said that the walk is important as we mark the 75 years of India’s Independence, and the great cause initiated by Mahatma Gandhi about 91 years ago to revolt against the British raj.
He paid tribute to Gandhi at Kareli along with Minister of State in Gujarat Government Vibhavari Dave.
Kareli is one of the villages, where Gandhi had halted on his way to Dandi. The Gujarat Government maintains the hut, where Gandhi had stayed in Kareli.
“Dandi march shook the conscience of the world. It started with 80 people but slowly lakhs of people joined the movement to revolt against the British,” he said.
Speaking to the padyatris at Kareli, he urged the youth to be proud of being an Indian. “As Indian, we should be proud of being an Indian. We should never forget the contributions and the sacrifice made by Gandhi ji and other leaders, who were instrumental for India’s freedom,” he attended.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting all Chief Minister’s to be part of the trail to revisit the Dandi march, he said, “I am very happy to be in the land where Bapu ji had undertaken the revolt against the British. I am indeed glad that we were given an opportunity to revisit the trail,” he added.
He also told the gathering of the concerted effort being made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure growth and development in the Northeast.
“He (PM) has given due attention to Northeast, which had remained neglected for years. However, under the PM’s leadership, Northeast is progressing. He has visited the region more than 15 times and he has directed all Union Ministers to visit the Northeast regularly. PM has created a different development model for the Northeast. I thank him on behalf of the people of Northeast,” he said.
Sangma also told the gathering that there were many people from the Northeast, including Meghalaya, who revolted against the British raj.
He informed the gathering about U Tirot Sing, Pa Togan Sangma and U Kiang Nongbah, who stood against the British in Khasi, Garo and Jaintia Hills.