Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign to pay tribute to the Veers who laid down their lives for the country
NATION-WIDE JAN-BHAGIDHARI PROGRAMMES TO BE ORGANISED FROM VILLAGE TO NATIONAL
LEVEL
SHILAPHALAKAMS (MEMORIAL PLAQUES) TO BE INSTALLED IN GRAM PANCHAYATS
SOIL FROM VARIOUS CORNERS OF THE COUNTRY TO BE BROUGHT TO DELHI IN AMRIT KALASH
YATRA FOR CREATING AMRIT VATIKA
Prime Minister
of India, 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 programs across the country to remember the
bravehearts (Veers). Shilaphalakams (memorial plaques) commemorating them will
be installed in gram panchayats, close to Amrit Sarovars. This information was
shared at a joint press conference held by Secretary, Information and
Broadcasting and Department of Telecommunications, Apurva Chandra; Secretary,
Culture Govind Mohan and Secretary, Youth Affairs, Meeta Rajivlochan in
New Delhi today. CEO, Prasar Bharti Gourav Dwivedi was also present on the
occasion.
Addressing the press conference, Apurva Chandra said that
Meri Maati Mera Desh will be the concluding programme of Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav which celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence. 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. Sh. Apurva Chandra 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.
Secretary, Culture, 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 12th March, 2021, and has witnessed widespread public
participation (Jan Bhagidari) with over 2 lakh programs organized across India.
From 9th- 30th August, 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 13 -15
August, 2023. Indians everywhere can hoist the national flag, click selfie with
the Tiranga and upload on Har Ghar Tiranga website. (harghartiranga.com).
Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports 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.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prasar Bharti Gourav Dwivedi gave the details of media coverage of Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign through Akashvani, Doordarshan and other digital platforms of Prasar Bharti.