Gandhinagar, Aug 13 — Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday joined the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign by hoisting the Tricolour at his residence in Gandhinagar, as the state targets displaying the national flag at more than 70 lakh homes during the Independence Day celebrations.
The campaign is being held nationwide from August 9 to 17 under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This year’s celebrations coincide with India’s 80th Independence Day and the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’.
Gujarat has planned more than 1,200 Tiranga Yatras across the state as part of the campaign, with participation expected from educational institutions, universities, social and religious organisations and citizens.
The programmes are being organised in villages along the India-Pakistan border and also major urban centres. State-level and city events have already been held as part of the campaign.
A Tiranga Yatra and Tiranga Concert were organised in Gandhinagar on August 10, followed by a yatra in Ahmedabad on August 12 and one in Rajkot on August 13. A Tiranga Yatra is scheduled in Vadodara on August 14.
CM Patel had earlier called for the campaign to become a wider movement, saying ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ should become ‘Har Dil Tiranga’.
Addressing the Gandhinagar Tiranga Yatra on August 10, he said, “The Tiranga Yatra is a journey of the unity and integrity of the country.”
He also urged citizens to carry the spirit of ‘Nation First’ and said the younger generation should learn about the sacrifices and struggles of freedom fighters.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has said the campaign is intended to honour soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation, express respect for their families and strengthen the spirit of patriotism among citizens.
Special programmes will also be held at district headquarters on August 14 to observe 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day'.
Local patriotic programmes are being organised across talukas, villages, municipalities and municipal corporations as Gujarat continues its statewide participation in the campaign.