Delhi launches Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam campaign to mark Patel’s 150th birth anniv

Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood on Saturday inaugurated the campaign 'Jal Sangam se Jan Sangam' at Sonia Vihar Yamuna Ghat, marking the beginning of the nationwide celebration of 'Sardar @150', commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The campaign, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to promote the message of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and strengthen the spirit of unity through Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation).

As part of the initiative, 150 students and teachers from Delhi government schools participated in collecting the sacred Yamuna water. The 'Ekta ka Jal' will be carried from the Yamuna to 25 culturally significant rivers across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, symbolising national unity and collective responsibility. The sacred waters from these rivers will later be brought back to Delhi for a Jal Abhishek ceremony at the statue of Sardar Patel at Patel Chowk on October 31.

Sood said, “Sardar @150 will symbolise Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, signalling that the new generation is the torchbearer of nation-building.”

Recalling Patel’s historic contribution, Sood added, “When India attained independence, Sardar Patel integrated 562 princely states into one nation, a feat of unmatched political will. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have demonstrated the same willpower by abrogating Article 370, uniting both the geography and the heart of India.”

Linking education to the nation-building process, the minister stated, “We want every child to say, I have not come just to study, I have come to build the nation.”

He also emphasised the importance of Delhi’s schools in carrying forward this spirit, saying, “Our students are not merely reading books they are learning the art of nation-building.”

Concluding the event, Sood, along with officials and students, participated in the Maa Yamuna Aarti and took a pledge for river conservation and national unity.