The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Wednesday commemorated the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur with a series of educational and cultural programmes under the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ initiative, witnessing enthusiastic participation from thousands of students across the civic body’s schools.
The main events, scheduled to be held at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai on February 28 and March 1, were preceded by multiple activities across TMC schools aimed at spreading awareness about the Sikh Guru’s legacy of sacrifice and religious freedom.
As part of the initiative, 365 schools organised a morning procession in which nearly 14,474 students participated.
The rallies echoed with patriotic slogans, while students carried placards highlighting the Guru’s sacrifice and promoting social unity and communal harmony.
An elocution competition also drew strong participation, with 2,751 students from 390 schools delivering speeches on the historical significance of the title ‘Hind Di Chadar’, the Guru’s supreme sacrifice for protecting religious freedom, and his enduring message of national integration.
In another awareness drive, 16,301 students from 156 schools took part in rallies across various localities, spreading the message of brotherhood and social cohesion.
The commemoration further featured a singing competition that saw 3,195 students from 200 schools present patriotic and devotional songs, underlining themes of courage, sacrifice and humanity.
Civic officials said the large-scale participation reflected a growing awareness among students about India’s history and the importance of religious tolerance and unity. The series of programmes, they added, successfully reinforced the values of harmony, equality and brotherhood inspired by Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered as ‘Hind Di Chadar’.
