PNS | Vijayawada
Special Chief Secretary of the Government Tourism and Culture Department, Rajat Bhargava, has announced that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is set to host a state-level event in Vijayawada on August 24 and 25, as a part of the ‘Azadi Kaa Amrit Mahotsav’ (AKAM) celebrations. This event will feature the ‘Mitti Yatras’ to Delhi, a significant initiative where participants will take the ‘Panch Pran’ pledge alongside ‘Mitti Diyas’. The event will also include the inauguration of SHGs (Self Help Groups) Shilaphalakam, the commencement of the Mitti Rally, a Flag March, and various other patriotic programs.
Bhargava highlighted that the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, which successfully distributed 63 lakh flags last year, is slated to procure 60 lakh flags this year, enhancing the Independence Day celebrations. The launch of this program is scheduled for August 9th in Nagari and will be inaugurated by Minister for Tourism and Youth Affairs, RK Roja.
Emphasizing the theme “Maati Mera Desh” under the AKAM campaign, Bhargava reiterated the significance of the ‘Mati’ (soil) by organizing the “Meri Maati Mera Desh” initiative. The main launch event for this campaign will also take place on August 9th. Further detailing the “Mitti Yatras to Delhi,” Bhargava described how youth volunteers will gather soil from villages, consolidate it in a Kalash at the Mandal/Assembly Constituency level, and then journey to Vijayawada.
The culmination of this effort will be marked by the flagging of the Matti Kalash during the State Level Program in Vijayawada. The journey will then continue to Delhi, with the youth arriving at the Grand Finale on Kartavya Path by August 27th, 2023.
Recalling the essence of AKAM, Bhargava explained that it is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate the nation’s 75 years of independence and honour its remarkable history, culture, and achievements. Notably, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy initiated the programme by presenting a cheque for Rs 75 lakh to the family of Pingali Venkaiah, the Founding Designer of the Indian National Flag. Moreover, the Government of India’s Cabinet Secretary, Rashtrapati Bhavan, conducted a Video Conference Meeting with Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs, conveying the proposal for the “Meri Maati Mera Desh” campaign. This campaign aims to pay homage to the valiant heroes who made supreme sacrifices for the nation through ceremonies at various levels, spanning Panchayat/Village, Block, Urban Local Body, State, and National levels, from August 9th to August 30th, 2023.
