09/10/2025
“Sardar@150 Unity March: Youth Unite to Celebrate the Iron Man of India!”
Press conference on launching of Sardar@150 Unity - Campaign held by MY Bharat J&K and NSS-J&K
A press conference was held today by the State Director of MY Bharat J&K in collaboration with the SNO NSS J&K. Deputy Director MY Bharat briefed and gave a handout in which they informed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat is organizing the Viksit Bharat Padyatra, an initiative designed to foster national pride, awaken civic engagement, and strengthen the spirit of unity among youth through commemorative and participatory programmes. In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Jan Bhagidari se Rashtrman, this initiative brings together many stakeholders who want to contribute to a Bharat that remembers all. It reinforces the role of youth, especially the Amrit Peedhi, in nation-building and pays homage to the contributions of India’s national leaders.
As part of this initiative, on October 6, 2025, the Ministry announced the launch of the Sardar@150 Unity March, a Government of India initiative led by MY Bharat to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. This nationwide initiative aims to awaken the spirit of unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among India’s youth while honoring the legacy of the leader who united a fragmented India into One Nation. Through this campaign, young people are encouraged to adopt the ideals of Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat in their everyday lives and civic engagement.
On 6th October, Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, digitally launched the campaign on the MY Bharat portal. This phase includes a social media reel competition, an essay writing contest, and the Sardar@150 Young Leaders Program. Under this program, 150 winners will get the opportunity to participate in the National Padyatra.
Campaign Phases: The Sardar@150 Unity March will be held in following phases across the country:
District-level Padyatras (October 31 – November 25, 2025):
a. A 8-10 km long padyatra will be undertaken for a period of 3 days covering all the districts in each parliamentary constituency.
b. Before the Padyatra, various pre-event activities will be organized in schools and colleges to build awareness and enthusiasm among the local communities. These will include essay and debate competitions focusing on the life of Sardar Patel and street plays (nukkad nataka).
c. Alongside these Rashtriya Ekta March Padyatras will be seminars educating the youth and institutions will host Swadeshi fairs, where participants will also take the “Garv Se Swadeshi” pledge. Additionally, yoga and health camps and cleanliness drives will be conducted in the area.
d. During the Padyatra, participants will pay floral tribute to statues or portraits of Sardar Patel, take the Atmanirbhar Bharat pledge, and engage in cultural performances and certificate distribution ceremonies.
National March (November 26 – December 6, 2025):
a. A 152 km march from Karamsad (Sardar Patel’s birthplace) to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia
b. As a part of the pre-event, social developmental activities will be undertaken in all the villages enroute of the Padyatra where MYB, NSS, NCC cadets and young leaders will take part
c. At 150 stops along the route, exhibitions on the life of Sardar Patel and celebrations showcasing India’s diverse cultures will be organized.
d. Every evening, Sardar Gatha sessions will be held where renowned scholars narrate the life and achievements of Sardar Patel.
All registrations and activities are being conducted via the MY Bharat Portal https://mybharat.in/pages/unity_march. Youth across the country are encouraged to register and actively participate in this historic initiative.
