On the occasion of commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised a “Gram Swaraj Padyatra” to take the life, message and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi to different sections of the society with the aim to carry the message of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi to the people through a padyatra. The Gram Swaraj Padyatra was led by none other than the Hon’ble Minister of Culture and VC GSDS, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel from District Anantpur in Madhya Pradeshto to Damoh, Madhya Pradesh from August 16-9, 2019. Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Shri Srikrishna G. Kulkarni, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and member Gandhi 150 Committee of Government of India, Shri Basant former Advisor of GSDS, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS, Shri Jagdish Prasad, Shri Raman Kumar, Shri Yatender and few other staff members joined the hon’ble minister in the yatra covering a distance of 86 kilometres. Shri P V Rajagopal from Ekta Parishad also joined the yatra.
In his lifetime, Mahatma Gandhi undertook many padyatras in an attempt to awaken the consciousness of the citizens and involve them in the liberation of India from the British Raj. In Mahatma Gandhi, satyagraha, fasting, padyatras, prayer meetings etc., the main elements were emphasis on transparency, human outlook and purity of means so that the desired people could submit their life memoranda with their dignity.
Taking this basic philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the Hon’ble Members of Parliament to go on a "Padayatra" in their constituencies and to connect Mahatma Gandhi's vision on rural economy by connecting with eminent citizens from each booth.
On August 16, the hon’ble Minister of Culture and VC GSDS Shri Prahalad Singh began the yatra from Anantpura to Chandpur; Chandpur to Chirari, Chirari to Bagaspura; Bagaspura to Gopalpura, Gopalpura to Guna; Guna to Baleh (Rahli Vidhan Sabha) covering a distance of 22 kilometres approximately.
On August 17, the Yatra began from Baleh to Piparia Ghat and proceeded to Gunjora. From Gujnora to Udaipura; Udaipura to Mothad Piparia; Mothad to Garahakota; Garahakota to Datpura Tiraha; Dantpura to Khejra Tiraha; Khejra Tiraha to Ghogra; Ghogra to Bansakala covering a distance of approximately 32 kilometres.
On August 18, the Yatra moved from Pathriya Vidhan Sabha to Khojakhedi Pathriya Vidhansabha covering a distance of approximately 23 kilometres. The following places covered were: Bansakala to Pathriya; Pathriya to Bailkhedi; Bailkhedi to Noru Tiraha; Noru Tiraha to Mara Tiraha; Mara Tiraha to Chapri; Chapri to Sadguan Tiraha; Sadguan to Semra; Semra to Jortala; Jortala to Khojakhedi Pathriya Vidhansabha.
On August 19, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel started for the culmination of his yatra from Khojakhedi Vidhan Sabha to Damoh Vidhan Sabha and the following places were covered: Khojakhedi to Parsoriya; Parsoriya to Pipariya Tiraha; Pipariya Tiraha to Tidoni Tiraha; Tidoni Tiraha to Imlai Chauraha; Imlai Chauraha to Gurdwara in Damoh. It was here in the slums of Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, Gandhiji laid the foundation of the Gurudwara. Mahatma Gandhi came to Damoh from Anantapur via Gadhakota. Meera Ben was with them. He was brought to Damoh in the car by Pandit Jagannath Prasad Pateria Chevrolet, the region's leading freedom fighter.
Shri Prahalad Singh Patel in his address to the huge gathering that followed him during the Yatra said that this is where he decided to culminate the yatra as this where Mahatma Gandhi had laid the foundation stone of the Gurdwara and this was a befitting tribute that could be paid to the Mahatma.