National Salt Satyagraha Memorial Dedicated to the Nation
National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, a tribute to 80 marchers who accompanied Mahatma Gandhi from Sabarmati to Dandi in 1930 to make salt from sea water against the British law, and encapsulates the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi’s Agrah, Swatchagrah and Satyagraha, was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary on 30 January 2019. “This memorial reminds us of the great sacrifices of the people of our country for the cause of freedom”, Prime Minister said addressing a public meeting on the occasion.
- National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Navsari district of Gujarat recreates the spirit and the energy of one of the defining moments of India’s freedom struggle.
- Prime Minister also unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis at the memorial site.
- It is a depiction of the Dandi March – the occasion when a pinch of salt rocked the colonial rule.
- The memorial also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March.
- Solar trees are installed to meet the energy requirements of the memorial complex.
Mahatma Gandhi led 80 of his fellow Satyagrahis 24 days Salt March – the Dandi March began on 12 March 1930 and continued till 6 April 1930 as more and more people joined in for the 390 km-long journey, it grew into a strong force of 50000 people to make salt from sea water against the British law that shook the Britishers with its non-violent nature and got national and international recognition.
- Indians were prohibited by the British from collecting or selling salt during that period.
- Indians were also forced to buy the staple diet ingredient from the British who exercised monopoly over its manufacture and sale and levied a heavy salt tax.
- Dandi March was a collective beginning of a mass resistance movement against the British tyranny.
Swadeshi played an immensely important role in freedom struggle; likewise, handlooms will be instrumental in overcoming poverty. Prime Minister said, “In an effort to carry forward the legacy of Gandhiji, our government has modernised around 2000 institutions related to khadi. It has benefitted lakhs of craftsmen and workers. Khadi is now not only a fashion statement but a symbol of women empowerment as well”. The government has declared 7th of August to be celebrated as Handlooms Day, every year to promote handlooms
- Mahatma Gandhi laid importance to
- We have imbibed those values for a clean India.
- Impact of Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan is that the cleanliness in rural area has increased from just 38% in 2014 to 98% now.
- ‘Gramuday to Bharatuday’ is our mission in an endeavourto bring basic amenities to the villages from clean cooking fuel to electricity and healthcare to financial services.