The Cell

Mission
To provide information, centre for knowledge and collaboration on everything related to the Epic Salt March.

The Dandi Path Heritage Management Cell was officially launched on March 12, 2019 by Gujarat Vidyapith with the aim of activating the historic Dandi March route and preparing a heritage management plan for integrated and long-term actions. The cell works at the grassroots level to the policy level, guided by Gandhian principles.

The Bharuch event, held on March 26, 2019, at Gandhi Vishram Sthal - Sevashram, commemorated the passing of Mahatma Gandhi and his Satyagrahis through Bharuch on March 26, 1930. This significant occasion featured a variety of activities aimed at promoting Gandhian principles. Participants engaged in a charkha spinning workshop, attended talks on Gandhian philosophy, participated in a plantation drive, and joined a signature pledge campaign focused on reducing plastic pollution. The event concluded with a bhajan sandhya, creating a reflective atmosphere for all attendees.

On April 6, 2019, the Dandi event took place to mark the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's historic act of breaking the Salt Law in 1930. The day commenced with a prayer and a Prabhat Pheri led by students and villagers, emphasizing messages of peace and environmental conservation. This gathering served not only as a remembrance of Gandhi's actions but also as an opportunity to inspire community involvement in environmental issues.

The stakeholders' colloquium, held over two days on April 12-13, 2019, brought together key figures involved in initiatives along the Salt March route. Highlights included a presentation by Mr. Thomas Jones on managing Martin Luther King Jr.'s Civil Rights walk from Selma to Montgomery and a demonstration by Mr. Douglas Mason on documenting heritage properties using advanced photography techniques. Additionally, updates were provided on the Archaeological Survey of India's work at Saifee Villa and initiatives by the Gujarat Ecology Commission aimed at achieving eco-sensitive zone status. Mrs. Karuna Singh also shared plans from the Earth Day Network regarding Salt March route management, with participation from representatives of various organisations including the Tourism department and Nirma University.

Gujarat Vidyapith has been leading a consensus-building process involving current stakeholders dedicated to preserving the historic Dandi-Salt March Route. The Dandi Path Heritage Management Cell continues to work towards this goal through research, advocacy, and collaborative efforts.