Kanyakumari: The Bharat Uday Yatra of Deputy Prime Minister got under way here at 12:00 hrs today (Mar 10, 2004).

Before hitting the road after a two-hour-long inaugural function, Advani said his message to the countrymen is to " march forward...India's time has come."

The yatra from Kanyakumari began on a musical note with young and upcoming singer Kailash rendering "Bharat chamak raha hai" song.

The song -- India is shining and India is smiling - was sung in both English and Hindi. It has been penned by Ajay Jingran and its music composed by Anu Malik.

During the course of the Tamil Nadu leg of his yatra, Advani will be accompanied by former Test cricketer K Srikkanth, who will be campaigning for the party in the coming Lok Sabha polls.