Wednesday, April 6 2005 14:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dandi (South Gujarat): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Apr 6, 2005) announced a development package for Sabarmati Ashram and conversion of the route between the Ashram and Dandi as a 'Heritage Route'.

He made the announcement at the concluding ceremony of the re-enactment of the 'Dandi Yatra' on the shores of the Arabian sea.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was also present on the occasion, received the flag from Dandi marchers in the presence of large number of people.

Braving scorching heat men, women and children turned up in large numbers in this remote village in Navsari district, where Mahatma Gandhi had pledged to fight the British Government's decision to imposed salt tax 75 years ago.

All the places where the Father of the Nation and his followers had halted during the 26-day march would be converted into memorials and the region would be developed in a big way, Singh said.

"The Government will also erect statues of all the 78 people who had walked along with Gandhiji in the 'salt satyagraha'," he added.

Stating that it is an honour for him to be present on the occasion on the 75th anniversary of the historic 'salt satyagraha', the Prime Minister said, "Dandi is a revered place and I have come here as a pilgrim."

Singh also appealed to the people to take inspiration from Gandhiji's life and help all sections of the society irrespective of caste, creed and religion.