'Meri Maati Mera Desh' Campaign: Prime Minister To Lay Foundation Stone For Amrit Vatika Near India Gate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Amrit Vatika in the Capital city on Tuesday (31 October) evening, for which the soil from across 766 districts has been collected.

The event will also mark the finale of the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign at Kartavya Path, wherein representatives from all 766 districts will be present.

For the Amrit Vatika, a memorial lawn to be built next to the India Gate, an area of 12,000 sqm has been earmarked, and the site will be ready for visitors in the next six months.

The Vatika will be situated adjacent to the Netaji Bose statue under the Grand Canopy and the National War Memorial, and will be the newest landmark that celebrates 75 years of Independence and honours the valour of the unsung freedom fighters.

According to officials, the venture will be a living testament to one’s shared heritage, with the soil and saplings representing every corner of India.

The plan is to plant 75 saplings of indigenous species and develop the ‘Amrit Vatika’.

Youth, volunteers and citizens gathered soil from their villages and transported it to the block level. Soil was also gathered from smaller urban bodies and brought to the municipalities and other larger urban local bodies.

On the day, which also marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Mera Yuva Bharat initiative will be launched, which aims to tap 40 crore youth population of the country, and focuses on “youth-led development and providing equitable access to youth”.

The government has arranged for over 20,000 Amrit Kalash Yatris from the states and UTs to arrive at the national capital by special trains and buses, who will be led by their respective MPs for the two-day carnival at Kartavya Path.

Officials said that the representatives will put the mitti (soil) from their respective areas in one giant Amrit Kalash at the venue.

As part of the Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign, launched in September, a memorial plaque was built and installed at every village or panchayat across the country to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle or defence personnel who laid down their lives on the line of duty.

Officials said that over 2.33 lakh Shilaphalakams or plaques have come up across the country.

A memorial wall dedicated to all the heroes who have contributed to India’s freedom, unity and integrity would also be erected at Amrit Vatika.

Besides the Prime Minister, the programme is likely to be attended by a host of Union ministers, officials and diplomats, besides families of some of these bravehearts.