Shri Ahmed Patel, MP and Political Secretary to President, Indian National Congress welcomed Sri M and the Walk of Hope at Kharod, Bharuch District, Gujarat on 23 August 2015. He also participated in the padayatra along with Sri M and the rest of the padayatris.
While conveying his best wishes to the Walk, Shri Patel said the country could progress only with communal harmony and Manav Ekta (oneness of humanity) amongst its citizens. He added that the Sri M-led Walk of Hope is a great endeavour to make peace and harmony possible in the country.
While thanking Shri Patel for his participation in the Walk, Sri M said: “India is a country of great diversity.We all are aware that there is just one truth and the source of all life is one. The basic premise of Walk of Hope is just that—bringing people together, uniting human beings irrespective of their caste, creed or social standing.” In this context, he drew attention to the Rigveda where it says: “Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti”(There is only one truth, though the wise describe it in different ways).
The Walk of Hope, an initiative for peace and harmony, entered Gujarat on 08 August 2015 after covering 3100 km in 209 days through the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Walk of Hope itinerary is traversing Gujarat—an itinerary of 45 days through 10 districts—covering 700 kms over districts of Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Panchmahal and Dahod. After Gujarat, the Walk will cover Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and reach Kashmir in April 2016. Dr.Karan Singh—Member of Parliament, former Governor and Union Minister — flagged off the Walk of Hope on 12 January 2015 from Kanyakumari.
