Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited Sabarmati Ashram and inaugurated the Kochrab Ashram where Gandhiji stayed before shifting to Sabarmati.

Mr Modi launched a master plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and visited Hriday Kunj. He took a walk-through of an exhibition and planted a sapling.

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Addressing a gathering, the Prime Minister said the Sabarmati Ashram was always a vibrant center of incomparable energy where one can feel the inspiration of Bapu in oneself.

“Sabarmati Ashram has kept alive Bapu’s values of truth and nonviolence, rashtra seva and seeing God’s service in the service of the deprived,” he said. The Prime Minister recounted Gandhi Ji’s time in the Redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, dedicated to the nation today.

Noting that on the 12th March Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Dandi March and crafted the date in India’s freedom struggle in golden letters, the Prime Minister said that this historic day is a witness to the initiation of a new era in independent India.

Underlining that the nation initiated the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav from Sabarmati Ashram on 12th March itself, PM Modi said that the event played a crucial role in remembering the sacrifices of the land.

“Amrit Mahotsav created a gateway for India to enter into Amrit Kaal,” the Prime Minister said, observing that it created an atmosphere of togetherness among the citizens similar to what was witnessed during India’s independence.

He highlighted the influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and beliefs and the scope of Amrit Mahotsav. “More than three crore people took the oath of Panch Pran during the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal program,” PM Modi said. He said two lakh Amrit Vatikas were developed where more than two crore saplings were planted.

More than 70,000 Amrit Sarovars were created for water conservation, the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign became an expression of national devotion, and the Meri Mati Mera Desh campaign saw citizens paying tributes to freedom fighters.

The Prime Minister mentioned the foundation stone laying of more than two lakh projects during Amrit Kaal making Sabarmati Ashram a pilgrimage of the resolutions of Viksit Bharat.

The Prime Minister said, “A nation that is not able to preserve its heritage loses its future too. Bapu’s Sabarmati Ashram is the heritage of humanity, not just the country.”

Recalling the long neglect of this priceless heritage, the Prime Minister mentioned the shrinking of the area of the Ashram from 120 acres to five acres and said that out of 63 buildings, only 36 buildings remained with only three buildings open for the visitors.

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of all 140 crore Indians to keep the Ashram preserved given its significance in the freedom struggle. The Prime Minister acknowledged the cooperation of the Ashram dwellers in getting back 55-acre land of the Ashram.

“Future generations and those visiting the Sabarmati Ashram will find inspiration from the power of charkha and its ability to give rise to a revolution. “Bapu had filled hope and faith in a nation that was suffering from despair due to centuries of slavery,” he said.