On the occasion of Shaheed Diwas, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), organised a nationwide Padyatra on 23 March 2026 under the theme “Mera Bharat, Meri Zimmedari”, mobilising youth participation across all 763 districts.
The flagship event in Faridabad witnessed large-scale participation, reflecting strong youth engagement in nation-building, and was graced by Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Gaurav Gautam, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge), Haryana, and Dr. Priyanka Shukla, IAS, CEO, MY Bharat.
The flagship Padyatra in Faridabad commenced at K.L. Mehta Dayanand Women’s College with floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, followed by Vande Mataram. The march proceeded through key city routes and culminated at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk, where participants paid homage to the martyrs.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, underscored the enduring relevance of the martyrs’ ideals and called upon youth to translate remembrance into action. She stated that “a nation that remembers its history remains strong and self-reliant,” and emphasised that MY Bharat is enabling millions of young citizens to actively contribute to national development.
She further highlighted that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 would depend significantly on youth leadership, urging young people to internalise the values of sacrifice, responsibility, and service. Shri Gaurav Gautam, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge), Haryana, highlighted that the Padyatra represents a unifying national effort to channelise youth energy towards constructive outcomes, noting that collective youth action will be central to India’s growth trajectory.
Dr. Priyanka Shukla, IAS, CEO, MY Bharat, stated that the initiative reflects a shift from symbolic observance to structured engagement, where youth are positioned as active stakeholders and leaders in nation-building. In the run-up to the Padyatra, a series of engaging pre-event activities were organised to encourage greater youth participation.
These included a nationwide digital campaign hosted on the MY Bharat portal (mybharat.gov.in), featuring quizzes on unsung heroes and freedom fighters. A reel-making competition titled “Ek Yuva Aisa Bhi” was also conducted to promote creativity and showcase inspiring stories of young individuals.
As part of the nationwide initiative, the MY Bharat Civic Sense Challenge was held on March 22, 2026, involving Shramdaan activities across all districts. These activities included cleanliness drives and road safety awareness campaigns, aimed at reinforcing civic responsibility and collective action.
A dedicated “MY Bharat, My Responsibility” Pledge Wall was also set up, enabling participants to publicly affirm their commitment to nation-building. The Shaheed Diwas Padyatra served as a powerful call to action, encouraging youth to actively contribute to India’s development journey. It provided a platform for young citizens to reaffirm their commitment to responsible citizenship, promote unity, and uphold the spirit of patriotism.