The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat MY Bharat, will organise a nationwide Shaheed Diwas Padyatra on March 23, 2026, across all 763 districts of the country under the theme MY Bharat My Responsibility. The initiative is designed to commemorate the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar while transforming remembrance into active youth participation in nation building.
Shaheed Diwas, observed annually on March 23, marks the martyrdom of the three young freedom fighters whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire generations. The padyatra initiative seeks to reinforce the idea that freedom is not merely inherited but must be sustained through responsibility, civic participation and collective action.
The nationwide mobilisation will see coordinated padyatras in every district, creating a unified youth-led movement across the country. A central event will be held in Faridabad, Haryana, where over 10,000 young participants are expected to take part. The event will be led by Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Gaurav Gautam, Sports Minister of Haryana, whose presence is expected to galvanise participation and amplify the message of responsible citizenship.
In Faridabad, the padyatra will begin at K L Mehta Dayanand College and pass through Ghanta Ghar and Market Number 5 on KC Road before concluding at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk on NH 5. The route, covering approximately 2.31 kilometres, has been designed to maximise public engagement and visibility of the initiative.
The programme is rooted in India’s demographic reality as one of the youngest nations in the world. By leveraging this demographic dividend, MY Bharat aims to channelise the energy, aspirations and idealism of youth into constructive nation building activities. The theme MY Bharat My Responsibility reflects a deliberate shift from symbolic commemoration to actionable civic engagement.
The initiative builds on MY Bharat’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of volunteerism and civic awareness among youth. To date, the platform has organised 13 national level Viksit Bharat padyatras, 108 state level padyatras and 1,573 district level padyatras, collectively engaging more than 21 lakh young participants across the country. These efforts have contributed to strengthening grassroots participation in national development initiatives.
In the lead up to Shaheed Diwas, a series of preparatory activities have been undertaken to deepen engagement and awareness. A nationwide digital campaign featuring quizzes on unsung heroes and freedom fighters has been launched on the MY Bharat portal. In addition, a creative reel competition titled Ek Yuva Aisa Bhi has been introduced to encourage youth to express their understanding of patriotism and civic duty through digital storytelling.
Further strengthening the initiative, a MY Bharat Civic Sense Challenge will be conducted on March 22, 2026, across all districts. This will include Shramdaan activities such as cleanliness drives and road safety awareness campaigns, aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility and community ownership among participants. A MY Bharat My Responsibility Pledge Wall will also be set up, allowing participants to publicly commit to their role in nation building.
The Shaheed Diwas Padyatra is positioned as a nationwide call to action, encouraging youth to actively contribute to India’s development journey. By integrating physical participation, digital engagement and civic action, the initiative seeks to create a sustained movement rooted in patriotism, unity and responsibility.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports emphasised that such programmes are critical in shaping informed, responsible and engaged citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the vision of a developed India. Youth across the country have been urged to participate in large numbers, take the pledge for responsible citizenship and emerge as catalysts of positive social change.
