Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram and launched the master plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial at Sabarmati in Gujarat.
Kochrab was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after he returned to India from South Africa in 1915.
At a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi on March 12, 1930, PM Modi said that Sabarmati Ashram epitomizes the principles of truth and non-violence cherished by Gandhi, his unwavering dedication to the nation, and his belief in serving the poor and the destitute as a form of service to God.
“12th March is that historic date when Bapu changed the course of freedom struggle and Dandi March became registered in history in golden words. In independent India, this date is a witness to the beginning of a historic occasion. On 12 March 2022, the country began Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from this Ashram,” PM Modi said.
He remarked that a country that cannot preserve its heritage loses its future too. “The Sabarmati Ashram of Bapu is a not only a heritage for the country but for the entire mankind. But after independence, justice was not done to this heritage,” PM Modi said.
Drawing parallels with successful heritage preservation projects like Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Shri Ram Janambhoomi, PM Modi commended Gujarat’s leadership. He mentioned the rejuvenation of Somnath under the leadership of Sardar Patel as a historic event and cited examples such the recognition of Ahmedabad as a World Heritage City and the restoration and redevelopment of historic and religious sites like Champaner and Dholavira, Lothal, Girnar, Pavagadh, Modhera and Ambaji.
The master plan for the Gandhi Ashram Memorial outlines ambitious initiatives aimed at expanding the Ashram area, restoring existing buildings, and establish visitor facilities.
According to the plan, the current five-acre area of the Ashram will be enlarged to 55 acres. Thirty-six existing buildings will undergo restoration, with 20, including ‘Hriday Kunj’, which served as Mahatma Gandhi’s residence, earmarked for conservation, 13 set for restoration, and three scheduled for reproduction.