The 83rd Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha anniversary was marked here with staunch Gandhians marching from Rajaji Park up to the Salt Stupa at Agasthyampalli early on Tuesday.
The event was the culmination of a month-long march enacted by the Gandhi Dhashan Kendra, Tiruchengode Gandhi Ashram, Gandhigram, with the marchers picking up a fistful of salt at the salt stupa at Agasthiampalli.
The march, the south’s equivalent of the Dandi march, under the leadership of C. Rajagopalachari, galvanised the patriots, and Gandhians of the day to show their solidarity with the freedom movement.
Kasturba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam, staff of Sri Thayumanavar Vidyalayam, members of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Vedaranyam, and local people participated in the march, recreating the aura of a bygone struggle, yet well-etched in the local memories.
The marchers paid tributes to Mahatma Gabdhi, Rajaji, and Sardar Vadaratnam in the presence of A. Vedaratnam, Managing Trustee, KGKG; P.N. Srinivasan, Editor, Bharatamani ; and P.V. Rajendran, former MP.
Financial assistance was distributed in Gandhi Sevalayam Orphanage, Dharmapuri. Students of Kasturba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam rendered all faith prayers and Ragupati Raghava Rajaram kindling the spirit of the moment.