Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress on Tuesday launched ‘Azadi Ki Gaurav Yatra’ to commemorate the 75th anniversary year of independence and to highlight the role played by the party in the country’s freedom struggle and thereafter.
The Yatra, to continue till August 14, aims at making the young generation aware of the sacrifices made by the Congress workers and leaders for the country’s independence and in ensuring balanced development after India gained freedom, a senior party leader said.
All the yatras will be conducted at least for 75 km with 75 prominent people connecting important areas, he said.
In Bhubaneswar, a large number of party workers and leaders, led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattnayak took out a march from Janata Maidan after paying floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.
The participants marched through different streets of the state capital holding the national tricolour and party flags and raising patriotic slogans. “It is our responsibility to spread the message about the significant role played by Congress in the freedom struggle,” the OPCC President said.
Pattnayak said the Gaurav Yatra is also being organised in all the districts of the state as per the instruction of the AICC in order to make people aware of the contribution made by Congress in making the country free and ensuring development post-independence.
The present generation should be made aware of the sacrifices of the Congress leaders and workers and how they valiantly fought the British. The respect that India commands at the international level now is because of the contribution of the party in building a modern India, the PCC Chief said.
Senior party leaders including former OPCC Presidents Niranjan Patnaik and Prasad Harichandan and MLA Suresh Routray participated in the yatra in the state capital. “Apart from making India free, Congress was instrumental in the speedy and balanced development of the country after independence. It made all efforts for the welfare of weaker sections of society,” said Harichandan.
