New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday began the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' with special emphasis on women on the occasion of former prime minister Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary today.
He announced the party's 'Shakti Walk' in a tweet writing, "You are the hope, you are the light, you are the peace. You are the adamant force, you are the revolution! Every woman of India is called upon to join hands with us to unite India. Your strength and courage can change the world."
Paying a tribute to his grandmother, Rahul Gandhi posted a video and tweeted: "She grew up in the freedom struggle, learned from the great leaders of India, was her father's darling. She was Durga for the country, Kali for the enemies – fearless, Radiant, delightful".
The Congress Party's official Twitter handle shared photos of the 'Shakti Walk' writing, "Today on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi Bharat Jodo Yatra continues with women power Shakti Walk."
Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was born on November 19, 1917. She was elected as the prime minister for the first time in 1966 after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death.
Before becoming prime minister, the 'Iron lady of India' was the president of the Indian National Congress.
She was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1971 and was also included in the 100 powerful women list by Time Magazine.
Her birth anniversary is celebrated as National Integration Day to promote peace, unity, and integration among Indian citizens.
Bharat Jodo Yatra
On the 13th day of the Congress yatra's Maharashtra leg, the participants embarked on the day's journey at 6 am from Gajanan Dada Patil Marketyard at Shegaon in Buldhana district and proceeded to Jalamb. The foot march will pass through Bhastan and take a night halt at Jalgaon Jamod town in the district.
The yatra will enter Madhya Pradesh at Burhanpur on Sunday night.
The foot march had reached Maharashtra on November 7 from Telangana and covered Nanded, Hingoli, Washim, Akola and Buldhana districts, covering 15 assembly and six parliamentary constituencies. It will cover 382 km in 14 days.