Mysuru: The people of Mysuru responded to the Badanawal calling in large numbers, as the Padayatra to the village of Badanawal began on Wednesday from the Gandhi Statue in front of the Law Courts.

The padayatra will reach Badanawal on April 19th, where over six to seven thousand people from across the state would have gathered to extend their support to the Badanawal Satyagraha. Various organisations like the Janapada Seva Trust, Arivu School and the women of Charaka joined the movement.

Noted writer Prabhushankar was the chief guest of the event, “I remember the time in 1932 when Mahatma Gandhi came to Badanawal. A whole train full of people, a large number of them sitting on the top of the train had come to see the Mahatma. And he addressed a very peaceful gathering, unlike many others he had addressed across the nation.”

“Satyagraha’s are needed; we should keep up the momentum. People gave up their lives for freedom, we should struggle to keep the movement alive,” he added.

Author P Mallesh also spoke about the popularity of the movement, “News has reached each and every household in the city, and they have all responded. But it matters not, if a lot of people come, but it matters that the cause is alive and will be kept alive.”

Over a hundred people registered to walk to Badanawal from Mysuru. Keeping with the spirit of the movement, various homes in the villages through which the padayatra will pass, have opened their homes to the walkers. Apart from places to stay, food has been organised by various handloom and sustainable living associations in Mysuru.

People of all ages were at the gathering and with the large number of theatre artists present, there was no dearth of melodious music. The crowd also gathered to sing ‘Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram’, Gandhiji’s favourite song.  

Writer Prabhushankar garlanded the bust of Mahatma Gandhi with handwoven cotton thread to mark the beginning of the Padaytra to Badanaval on Wednesday in front of the Law Courts. ?