The 7,500 km Kanyakumari-Kashmir pan-India padayatra spreading the message of social harmony and peace has concluded its Maharashtra leg with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praising the endeavour as a valuable contribution for national development.
Mr Fadnavis pointed out that such initiatives would go a long way in the nation-building process. Development comes only if the country is united and all sections worked together in national interest. He complimented Sri M (Mumtaz Ali Khan) and the padayatris for their ‘Walk of Hope’ and expressed the hope that it would turn into a people’s movement for peace, harmony and progress as it proceeds on its march to Jammu.
Mr Fadnavis in particular showered praise on Sri M for his grit, determination and stamina as the Yatra covered over 1200 km in Maharashtra alone. “This should set an example for the youth in terms of commitment and patriotism,” he said.
The padayatra, known as ‘Walk of Hope’ and organised by Manav Ekta Mission, has covered around 3,500 km so far and is slated to end at Jammu in April 2016 after travelling through Gujarat, MP, UP, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and J&K.
Sri M entered Maharashtra from Kolhapur on 17th May 2015. The 82 days journey through the state spanning 1200 kms has taken him to places like Kolhapur, Sangli, Pandharpur, Akkalkot, Miraj, Solapur, Satara, Ralegansiddhi, Jejuri, Alandi, Ranjangaon Maha Ganapati, Shirdi, Nasik, Trimbakeshwar before entering Gujarat.
Social activist Anna Hazare joined the march for a while at Ralegaon Siddhi and promised to meet Sri M and Walk of Hope at Delhi. RSS supremo, Mohan Bhagwat, joined the Walk of Hope at Alandi.
Conveying the message that violence and terrorism will not pay, Sri M marched to the German Bakery blast site in Pune to pay respects. In Pune, Sri M also led daylong prayers and fasting, an initiative against terrorism and violence that was joined by hundreds of people. Sri M expressed his gratitude to the people of Maharashtra and said all communities have received the padayatra, through the land of saints and faiths, with overwhelming love and support. Religious and political leaders have expressed their encouragement while extolling the objectives of the Walk. Sri M added that Walk of Hope has evolved into a people’s movement wherein people walked together with the padayatra in many places, extending their hospitality to the padayatris and as Walk of Hope enters Gujarat shortly, he is filled with immense hope that the Walk will be able to achieve its extraordinary objectives.
The Walkathon will now head into the land of the Mahatma – Gujarat and onwards till it reaches Jammu & Kashmir.
