Participants of a padayatra in front of a Mahatma Gandhi statue during flag-off in Belagavi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A 34-day, 600-km Lok Swaraj Padayatra which will cover multiple districts of Karnataka spreading the message of Truth and Non-violence as tools of Swaraj (Self Rule) commenced in Belagavi on Saturday.
The Lok Swaraj Padayatra was flagged off from the Congress Well Park and a Congress leader Kiran Mugabasav known for his commitment to promoting Gandhian ideals and socio-political harmony is leading the foot march.
Mr. Mugabasav was earlier part of the Sarvodaya Sankalp Padayatra covering 600 km in 36 days. He also participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, walking 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Srinagar.
The padayatra marks two significant milestones in Indian history, one, the centennial of the Belagavi Session of the Indian National Congress (1924) and Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement under which people were inspired to donate 5,017 acres of land in Karnataka.
The padayatra, which commenced in Belagavi, will conclude on January 30 in Hubballi, the place where Vinoba Bhave stayed during his yatra under the Bhoodan Movement.
The padayatra will cover four districts, Belagavi, Dharwad, Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada, passing through Khanapur, Alnavar, Haliyal, Yellapur, Sirsi, Siddapur, Jog Falls, Kumta, Gokarna, Ankola, Kirvatti and Kalghatgi before concluding in Hubballi.
As many as 40 participants from diverse communities, including 20 representatives from Vinoba Bhave’s birthplace in Gagoda village, Raigad district, Maharashtra, are participating in the padayatra.
Published – December 28, 2024 10:00 pm IST
