Celebrations marking the spirit of independence kicked off in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. With the entire landscape of the state changing, every district saw the commencement of the ‘My Soil, My Country’ campaign and the taking of the Five Vows.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the campaign on the 98th anniversary of the Kakori Rail Action. In Kakori, he unveiled a plaque and emphasised building an India free from discrimination based on caste, religion, and creed. He encouraged citizens to take selfies at martyr monuments and upload them, as well as to hoist the Indian flag at their homes.
Adityanath urged residents of the state to honour the soil and pay respects to heroes from August 13 to 15. Recalling the tragedy of the partition on August 14, 1947, he vowed never to let India be divided again and stressed that every citizen must work towards a united and great India.
He emphasised the importance of citizens fulfilling their civic duties and suggested that those neglecting them were betraying the nation. He expressed a desire to see every household fly the national flag by Independence Day.
Honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters, Chief Minister Yogi felicitated the families of notable martyrs like Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Ramkrishna Khatri. Families of Kargil martyrs Kevalanand Dwivedi and Sunil Jung were also honoured.
At the event, attendees took the Five Vows with soil in their hands, pledging to make India self-reliant and developed by 2047. All government departments were instructed to upload related selfies to the official campaign website, merimaatimeradesh.gov.in.
Between August 9 and 15, preparations will be underway across various community centres, including Amrit Sarovars, panchayat buildings, schools, and martyr sites. Soil-filled urns will begin their journey from all villages and panchayats. By August 20, 2023, these urns will reach every block level, with one from each village being sent to state capital Lucknow and the national capital, New Delhi.
