‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign to pay tribute to ‘veers’ who laid down their lives for country

STATE TIMES NEWS

NEW DELHI: Secretary, Information and Broadcasting and Department of Telecommunications, Apurva Chandra on Thursday said that Meri Maati Mera Desh will be the concluding programme of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav which celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence.
Addressing a press conference here, Apurva explained that installing Shilaphalakam as tribute to bravehearts, Mitti ka Naman and Veeron ka Vandan are the key components of the campaign Meri Maati Mera Desh.
Har Ghar Tiranga will also be organised this year but as an important component of Meri Maati Mera Desh, he added.
The Secretary also highlighted the role of media in generating awareness about the campaign and taking it to every nook and corner of the country.
The nationwide campaign Har Ghar Tiranga organised last year was a roaring success and this year even a more ambitious programme ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ is being rolled out under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently announced the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast.
This campaign aims to honour the brave freedom fighters and bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the country.
The campaign will include various programmes across the country to remember the bravehearts (Veers). Shilaphalakams (memorial plaques) commemorating them will be installed in gram Panchayats, close to Amrit Sarovars.
Secretary, Culture Govind Mohan and Secretary, Youth Affairs, Meeta Rajivlochan also addressed the press conference. CEO Prasar Bharati Gaurav Dwivedi was also present.
Govind Mohan in his presentation informed that the campaign will feature programs like the establishment of Shilaphalakams dedicated to freedom fighters and security forces, as well as initiatives like Panch Pran Pledge, Vasudha Vandan, Veeron ka Vandan which venerates the gallant sacrifices of our bravehearts. Shilaphalakam or Memorial plaques saluting the spirit of sacrifice of local bravehearts from the village, panchayat, block, town, city, municipality etc. are to be erected across urban and rural areas. It will have Prime Minister’s message with the names of those who have laid down their lives for the nation belonging to that region.
Govind Mohan said that this campaign is the concluding event of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ which began on 12thMarch, 2021, and has witnessed widespread public participation(Jan Bhagidari) with over 2 lakh programs organized across India. From 9th- 30thAugust, 2023, the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign will include programs at the village, and block levels , by local urban bodies, as well as state and national level.
He further elaborated that an ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ will be conducted, carrying soil from all corners of the country in 7500 kalash to create an ‘Amrit Vatika’ in Delhi This ‘Amrit Vatika’ will symbolize the commitment to ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
Giving further details, Culture Secretary said that to encourage mass participation(Jan Bhagidari), a website, https://merimaatimeradesh.gov.in, has been launched where people can upload selfies holding soil or an earthen lamp. By doing so, they take the pledge of Panch Pran, with focus to make India a developed country, eliminate the mentality of slavery, be proud of our rich heritage, uphold unity and solidarity, fulfill duties as citizens, and respect those who protect the nation. Once the pledge is taken, a digital certificate of participation can be downloaded from the website.
Last year, “Har Ghar Tiranga” programme, became a grand success owing to participation of one and all. This year too, Har Ghar Tiranga will be celebrated between 13th -15th August, 2023. Indians everywhere can hoist the national flag, click selfie with the Tiranga and upload on Har Ghar Tiranga website. (harghartiranga.com).
Meeta Rajivlochan informed that the details of the nationwide campaign can be accessed on the portal https:// yuva.gov.in/meri_maati_mera_desh. Not only will the portal contain relevant information on various activities under Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign, the youth can also join the campaign through this portal by uploading their activities like selfies and planting of saplings on this website. She urged the youth to take part in the campaign with enthusiasm and to also engage all around them in the nationwide effort to pay tribute to our Bravehearts and our Motherland.