Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri
All along the approximately 13 kilometre stretch from Krishna Enclave to the evening Break at Tarana Village Square, the #BharatJodoYatra continued to attract interested crowds on its 82nd day.
“For almost the entire stretch of the highway we could see people who came to engage with the Yatra” says Yatri Keshav Yadav, “Whether it was individuals or groups of people, there were very few empty stretches.”
“For almost the entire stretch of the highway we could see people who came to engage with the Yatra” says Yatri Keshav Yadav (foreground)
Indeed there were people from all age groups. Yatri Shatrughan Sharma met with Alima Bi, 90, who was sitting outside her home with her son, waiting for the Yatris. “I have participated in a number of Congress led andolans, and in the process even been to jail several times,” she told Sharma.
Yatri Shatrughan Sharma met with Alima Bi, 90 (seated, centre) who was waiting for the Yatris. “I have participated in a number of Congress led andolans,” she said.
This afternoon Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had his 7th press interview since the start of the Yatra. According to party general secretary Jairam Ramesh, Gandhi “Answered a wide variety of questions from 17 journalists in about 40 minutes.” This is in stark contrast to Prime Minister Modi whose track record, or lack of it in facing the press, speaks for itself.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had his 7th press interview since the start of the Yatra
During tne course of the press conference Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that “This Yatra is more than the Congress party, this Yatra is about the Nation…. the aim is very clear… we stand against the hatred and violence being spread.” He added, “The people of India have a culture of compassion, respect & affection, this is our biggest strength. This is the aim of this Yatra… to remind the nature of the culture, history and DNA of this nation.”
In the evening session the Yatris were joined by Asha and Sarafa workers, and educationist Anil Sadgopal.
Currently in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is a five month, 3500 kilometre long Padyatra from Kanyakumari in the South of India to Kashmir up in the North. It is part of the party’s national mass outreach program aimed at highlighting social polarisation, economic inequalities and political centralisation.
Ground research: Aparna Ashwarya (INC Communications Department research team)
End of Day Travel Facts
1. District names: Indore, Ujjain
2. Indore historically has been a junction for pilgrimage (Omkareshwar to Mahakaleshwar) and military movement (Agra to Deccan); consequentially it has developed as a commercial and military town.
3. Mhow town in Indore district is the birthplace of statesman and social reformer Dr B.R Ambedkar.
4. Mhow is also the centre for key training schools of the Indian army including the Army War College and the Infantry Training School.
5. Indore district is the business and trading capital of the state, famous for cotton textile, steel and chemical production. Namkeen production is also a major economic activity.
6. Ujjain district is home to one of the Hindu pilgrimage centres famous for the Kumbh mela.
7. The famous Mahakaleshwar temple is located in Ujjain city.
8. The district has one of the largest viscose staple fiber manufacturers in Asia.
9. The city is the birthplace of great national poet Kavi Pradeep.
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