Azad Sandesh Yatra to begin on Jan 3

Bhopal, Dec 19 (UNI) An Azad Sandesh Yatra, which will begin on January 3, 2007 from revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad's martyrdom site Alfred Park in Allahabad, will conclude at his birthplace Bhabra in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district on January 12, the freedom fighter's birth anniversary year.

A Rs 1 crore memorial would be built at Bhabra and designs were invited from India and abroad. Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar is working on the revolutionary's image.

Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister (Independent Charge) Lakshmikant Sharma and Yatra Coordinator Anil Dave, who is also the Bharatiya Janata Party's state unit general secretary, told reporters here today that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Union minister Murli Manohar Joshi and former assembly speaker Kesri Nath Tripathi are expected to witness the Yatra's launch.

''The roughly 3,000-km-long journey will touch more than 60 cities, towns or townships. It will traverse ten divisions and more than 20 districts. The freedom fighter's image, soil from his birthplace and martydom site, his pistol and other memorabilia will be carried in a specially-made vehicle,'' said Mr Sharma.

About 60 meetings would be organised during the Yatra. The Madhya Pradesh government has expended Rs 1.5 lakh in instituting the Amar Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad Samman.

''Preparations are underway to install a lifesize statue of Azad here. An exhibition will also be organised and patriotic songs broadcast on All India Radio,'' the minister added.

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