By Pawan Khera and Manish Khanduri

Clear skies and fair weather greeted the Yatris as they started their 13 plus kilometre walk today.

Indeed for some Yatris the displacement of their temporary camps made for longer stretches of walking. The previous night the Yatris had to make do with changed accommodations as their campsite was flooded. “As always we made it work” says Yatri Roshan Bittu.

However, states Anulekha Boosa, it was “one of the hottest days so far.” However Boosa also says that the “large number of crowds lined along the highway made up for the heat.”

Of course the crowds and Padyatris were aware of Bellary’s political history, and the fact that Congress President Sonia Gandhi had successfully contested from the Lok Sabha. Today many in the crowds were eagerly hoping to see her as well.

The district of Bellary is also deeply connected to the freedom struggle. Mahavir Singh, Batuskeshwar Dutt, Gaya Prasad, prosecuted for Lahore Conspiracy Case(1928-1931) were briefly incarcerated at the Bellary Jail.

The Yatris arrived at their morning end point near the Jajirakallu Toll Plaza and will resume their yatra at 4:30PM.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra is presently in the state of Karnataka. Over 21 days in the state, it will cover 511 kilometres.

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)

Midday Travel Facts

1. Current District Name – Bellary
2. The district is located at almost the centre of Karnataka
3. Bellary holds 25% of India’s iron ore reserves.