Meri Maati Mera Desh

Meri Maati Mera Desh

Subject :Schemes

Why in news:

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, recently announced the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast.

Objectives of the campaign:

This campaign aims to honour the brave freedom fighters and bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the country. Shilaphalakams (memorial plaques) commemorating them will be installed in gram panchayats, close to Amrit Sarovars.

Details:

• The ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign is a part of the larger ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative launched by the Centre earlier this year to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence.
• The Centre has invited people from all walks of life to participate in the campaign by sending soil samples from their native places or places of historical significance to the Ministry of Culture. The soil samples will be collected at various centres and then transported to Delhi for the creation of the garden.

Key Components of the Campaign:

Shilaphalakam:

• Installing a memorial plaque in every gram panchayat or village, bearing the names of the freedom fighters, defence personnel, CAPF personnel, and state police personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
• It will serve as a reminder of their courage and sacrifice and will inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps. The installation will be done through the MGNREGA scheme, using local materials and resources.

Vasudha Vandhan:

• Planting 75 saplings of indigenous species in every gram panchayat or village, creating an Amrit Vatika (a sacred grove) that will symbolize the renewal of ‘Mother Earth’. The saplings will be nurtured by the local community and will provide ecological benefits such as soil conservation, water recharge, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon sequestration.

Veeron Ka Vandan:

• Saluting the freedom fighters and their families, as well as the retired and deceased defence, CAPF, and state police personnel and their families. This will acknowledge their contribution to the nation’s freedom and security and will express gratitude and respect for their service. It will be done at various levels, from gram panchayats to district headquarters.

Collection of Soil:

• Collecting soil from every gram panchayat or village by young volunteers and others, who will bring it to the block level in ‘Mitti Kalash’ (earthen pots). The soil will represent the diversity and richness of the country’s land and culture and will be used to create a unique garden in Delhi.

Amrit Vatika:

• One of the main highlights of the campaign is the development of a unique garden called Amrit Vatika along the Kartavya Path in Delhi. The garden will be made with soil brought from all parts of the country, representing the different regions, cultures and traditions of India. The soil will also symbolise the blood and sweat of the brave men and women who fought for the country’s freedom.
• The Amrit Vatika will be inaugurated on August 15 by Prime Minister, who will also pay tributes to the martyrs and freedom fighters at the National War Memorial. The garden will be open to the public from August 16 onwards, and will showcase various cultural and artistic performances, exhibitions and workshops related to the theme of ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’.

Meri Mati Mera Desh Campaign Implementation:

• Young volunteers will gather soil from every panchayat and hamlet and bring it to the block, where ‘Mitti Kalash’ (pots of soil) would be ceremoniously conveyed to Delhi. The gathered soil will be used to build the Amrit Vatika, a special garden celebrating national integrity and the warriors of the Indian freedom struggle, near Delhi’s Kartavya Path.

Amrit Kalash Yatra:

• There will also be an Amrit Kalash Yatra during the “Meri Mati Mera Desh” campaign. With 7,500 Kalash from villages and other parts of the nation, this “Amrit Kalash Yatra” would transport soil from these locations to Delhi. Additionally, this yatra will transport plants from different regions of the nation. These 7,500 Kalash of earth and vegetation will be used to construct a “Amrit Vatika” next to the National War Memorial.