Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday led a state-level Tiranga Yatra in Kurukshetra, calling the national flag a symbol not only of India’s freedom struggle but also of the sacrifices of soldiers, the hard work of farmers and the aspirations of the country’s younger generation.
Thousands of people joined the procession, carrying the Tricolour and raising patriotic slogans as the march moved through key parts of Kurukshetra before concluding at the Shaheedi Smarak at the Mini Secretariat in Thanesar. The event was organised as part of the nationwide ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, which has sought to deepen public participation in celebrations surrounding Independence Day.
The Chief Minister began the state-level yatra from Pipli Mandal, accompanied by Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal and former Haryana minister Subhash Sudha. The procession passed through the Police Lines, the new bus stand and Dronacharya Stadium before reaching the Shaheedi Smarak.
The large participation gave the event the character of a public celebration rather than a formal government programme. Men, women, young people and other residents carried the national flag as the procession made its way through the city, filling the atmosphere with patriotic slogans.
Addressing the gathering, Saini said the Tricolour represents the sacrifice of freedom fighters, the courage of soldiers, the dedication of mothers, the labour of farmers and the dreams of India’s youth. He described Kurukshetra as a particularly significant place from which to send a message of national duty.
The Chief Minister linked the symbolism of the yatra to Kurukshetra’s historical and spiritual significance. Referring to the Bhagavad Gita, he said the land was associated with the enduring message of performing one’s duty without retreating from responsibility.
In that context, he described the Tiranga as a contemporary symbol of national duty, saying that the Gita teaches the principle of ‘Karmayoga’, while the national flag represents a broader sense of service to the nation.
Saini also recalled how the national flag, once largely associated with government buildings and official occasions, has increasingly become part of everyday public life. Today, he said, the Tricolour can be seen in villages, cities, homes, shops and on agricultural vehicles.
For him, the significance of the campaign lies in making patriotism a shared public sentiment rather than limiting it to official ceremonies. He said that when the Tricolour flies above the home of a poor family, that modest dwelling becomes a symbol of national pride, while the sight of the flag on a farmer’s tractor connects the country’s agricultural labour with the larger idea of nation-building.
The Chief Minister also placed children and young people at the centre of the national vision, saying that a child walking with the Tricolour represents the future of a developing India.
He used the occasion to highlight the importance of women’s education and security, saying that the national commitment should include ensuring that no girl is denied education, feels unsafe or has her aspirations restricted because of discrimination.
The message also extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047, when the country will mark 100 years of independence. Saini said the India that emerges in 2047 would depend significantly on the decisions and actions being taken today.
He argued that Haryana would have an important role in that journey and said development must extend to villages while preserving the state’s cultural identity and traditions.
The Tiranga Yatra was also presented as a message of social cohesion. Saini said India’s people may differ in language, dress, customs and traditions, but the national flag provides a common identity that transcends these differences.
“When the Tricolour flies,” he said, the distinctions between rich and poor, rural and urban communities and different social groups should give way to a shared identity as Indians.
The Chief Minister later paid tribute to the martyrs at the Shaheedi Smarak by laying a wreath and honouring families of the fallen soldiers with shawls. He also joined MP Naveen Jindal and former minister Subhash Sudha in planting a Kadam tree at the memorial.
The tree-planting gesture added an environmental dimension to an event otherwise dominated by patriotic symbolism, linking remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the country with a commitment to future generations.
The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, launched in 2022 following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, has developed into a prominent feature of Independence Day celebrations across the country. Its central objective has been to encourage citizens to develop a personal connection with the national flag and participate in the celebration of independence.
In Kurukshetra, the campaign combined that national message with the region’s distinctive historical and cultural identity. The sight of thousands carrying the Tricolour through a city associated with the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita gave the event an added layer of symbolism.
Saini called for the spirit of the procession to extend beyond the day’s celebrations. He urged people to ensure that the Tricolour is not merely displayed on rooftops but reflected in their conduct and commitment to the national interest.
The broader message of the event was therefore not limited to patriotism expressed through flags and slogans. It was framed around responsibility — towards the country, its soldiers, farmers, women, children and future generations.
As the procession moved through Kurukshetra, the Tricolour became both the visual centrepiece of the celebration and a reminder of the values the government wants associated with Independence Day: national unity, sacrifice, social responsibility and a collective commitment to building the India of 2047.
