KARAMSAD (GUJARAT), Nov 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that freedom is not only about rights but also about duties and the spirit of unity, as he addressed the launch of the ‘Unity March’ through a written message.
The message was read out during the flag-off ceremony of the ‘Unity March’ (padyatra) in Karamsad, the native town of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister. The Gujarat government has organised the march from Karamsad to the Statue of Unity in Narmada district to commemorate Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary.
District Collector Pravin Chaudhary read out the Prime Minister’s message, in which Modi praised the initiative and recalled the significance of padyatras in India’s freedom struggle. “The sound of footsteps united society, boosted people’s self-confidence, and instilled a sense of unity in millions of hearts. Sardar Patel knew that when people walk together, differences are left behind,” he said.
Calling it a “pleasant coincidence” that the march began on Constitution Day, Modi said the day serves as a reminder that freedom carries responsibilities and calls for national unity. He also highlighted the widespread public participation seen in initiatives such as Digital India, Fit India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, describing them as modern expressions of unity.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the goal of building a developed India by 2047 would be achieved through the energy of youth, national solidarity, and innovation. He expressed confidence that the ‘Unity March’ would further strengthen national cohesion and inspire people to align their aspirations with the nation’s progress.
“On this occasion, I pay my respects to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” he added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the march in the presence of dignitaries including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. The padyatra will culminate at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar on December 5, with nearly 15,000 participants expected to join each day.