PM to launch mega BJP campaign to rekindle patriotism spirit

New Delhi, August 2  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a mega 15-day BJP campaign ‘70 saal azadi-yaad karo kurbani’ on August 9, the 75th year of Quit India movement, and virtually the entire Council of Ministers will travel across the country to “rekindle the spirit of patriotism”.

The party will also use the occasion to highlight the Modi government’s schemes aimed at the poor and weaker sections with senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu claiming it has been working to usher in ‘suraj’ (good governance) after the country received ‘swaraj’ (self-rule) 70 years ago.

“This will be massive exercise of 15 days across the country to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Quit India movement and 70 years of independence. The programme will continue till August 23,” Naidu, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, told reporters.

The programme was given final touches in the BJP’s Parliamentary Party meeting held earlier in the day.

Elaborating the details of the programme, Naidu said 75 ministers will visit at least two places associated with freedom struggle. 150 such places have been identified.

“The idea is to rekindle the spirit of patriotism among the people to convey to the new generation the sacrifices made by our leaders who fought for the freedom movement and recall the great valour shown by them,” he told reporters.

Referring to incidents like Kakori case, Jalianwala Bagh massacre, Dandi March and Quit India movement, he said party leaders and union ministers will visit spots linked with them and pay tribute to leaders.

Woman ministers will visit borders areas and tie rakhi to soldiers on Raksha Bandhan, which falls during the period.

The kith and kin of martyrs, freedom fighters and ex-servicemen, especially those conferred with gallantry awards, will also be felicitated.

Every party MP in his or her constituency will undertake ‘Tiranga Yatra’ from August 15 to 22.

They will take out a rally on two-wheelers carrying national flag and visit different places to pay tribute to freedom fighters and ex-servicemen.

Various ministries, including Defence, Home, HRD, I&B and Textile, will also carry out different activities.

Textile Ministry is also preparing plans to promote khadi in a big way, he added.

The films division will show patriotic movies and also broadcast speeches of noted freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose, he said. — PTI