States and centre need to work jointly to instill 'desh bhakti': Amit Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday called for the need for states and Centre to work together to instill patriotism in people of the country and remind them of the sacrifices made by Indian freedom fighters. "It's important to connect our youth to it," he said. Shah was speaking at a two-day Amrit Samagam related to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrating 75 years of India's independence.

He was addressing culture ministers from different States. He also heads the committee that finalises the events under AKAM. "If people take small resolutions, then this country with a population of 130 crore people can make the nation more powerful and great," he said while lauding the culture ministry's initiative to chronicle the lives of gumnaam nayak or Indian freedom fighters who have not been celebrated. "There is no village that has not produced a freedom fighter, or a district that has not seen one act of rebellion and heroism. We must chronicle them and tell their stories to youth." To make a country Vishwaguru, he asked states to create permanent structures that will remind people of the strugglers our forefathers have gone through and take part in the Centre's celebration of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.