CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Under the “Mother, I Salute You Scheme,” a total of 81 members, including 73 youths and 8 support staff from Agar-Malwa, Anuppur, Badwani, and Alirajpur districts, have been sent to Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) for an expedition.
The Chief Guest of the program, Honorable Minister Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang, was welcomed by Director of Sports, Shri Ravikumar Gupta, with a bouquet. Ravikumar Gupta briefed the minister about the team heading to Jaisalmer.
In his inspiring address, the Sports Minister explained the significance of the “Mother, I Salute You Scheme” to the youths from Agar-Malwa, Anuppur, Badwani, and Alirajpur districts. He emphasized that the department initiated this scheme to instill patriotism in the youth of the state. He encouraged the youth by highlighting the sacrifices made for India’s freedom and urged them to be prepared to contribute selflessly for the nation, using examples of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Chandrasekhar Azad. He also cited Swami Vivekananda and the Prime Minister as sources of inspiration for modern youth and wished them well for their experiential journey.
During the program, the Sports Minister handed over the national flag to the team leader, Shri Roop Singh Kalesh. The flag will be presented to the army officers at the Jaisalmer international border.
The team, which included 73 youths from Agar-Malwa, Anuppur, Badwani, and Dewas districts and 8 support staff, departed for Jaisalmer by the Bhopal-Jodhpur Express.
Also present at the event were Dr. Ravikumar, Joint Director of Sports, Shri B.S. Yadav, and other departmental officials and employees.
Detailed Information about the “Mother, I Salute You” Scheme:
Launched by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2013, the “Mother, I Salute You” scheme aims to raise awareness about the security of national borders, foster dedication and courage, and attract youth to the armed and paramilitary forces. Announced by the Honorable Chief Minister on January 16, 2013, the scheme is managed by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare.
Under the scheme, ten talented youths (five boys and five girls) aged 15-25 from each district are selected through a lottery by a selection committee chaired by the District Collector. Applicants must submit an official application form, character certificate, and fitness certificate to the district level for selection.
Selected youths are taken in groups to visit international borders, where they pay tribute to martyrs by offering water from their homes and discuss national issues to broaden their perspectives. They also study local aspects such as agriculture, livestock, industry, irrigation facilities, geographical features, culture, traditions, and festivals in the border areas.
The department provides travel expenses, daily allowances, accommodation, food, local transportation, train reservations, tracksuits, T-shirts, and kit bags for the youths. A team of 72 members, including 65 youths, 5 departmental officers/employees, and 2 police officers, is sent on these experiential journeys.
Since its inception, the scheme has facilitated visits for 15,588 youths to various locations, including Leh-Ladakh, Kargil-Dras, RS Pura-Jammu & Kashmir, Wagah-Husainiwala-Punjab, Tanot Mata Temple-Longewala, Bikaner, Barmer-Rajasthan, Kochi-Kerala, Nathula Pass-Sikkim, Tura-Meghalaya, Petrapole-Jaygaon-West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, Kevadia-Gujarat, and Kanyakumari-Tamil Nadu.