Since 2022, Arun Haryani has travelled across India every Independence Day to spread a message of harmony
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 15(DD) For Arun Haryani, Independence Day is more than just a national holiday — it is a personal mission. Every year since 2022, the young man from Gujarat has embarked on a remarkable journey to Kashmir, carrying with him a message of peace, unity, and brotherhood.
Travelling thousands of kilometres, Haryani meets people from different regions, cultures, and faiths, using his journey as a bridge to promote understanding and mutual respect. His route is not merely symbolic; it is a deliberate choice to connect the far corners of the nation, from the western coast to the northernmost valleys.
Speaking to reporters during his latest visit to Srinagar on the eve of Independence Day 2025, Haryani said, “Our country’s strength lies in its diversity. My journey is a reminder that despite our differences, we are one people, bound by the same tricolour.”
Along the way, Haryani has received warm welcomes from locals, civic groups, and youth organisations, who see his annual mission as a refreshing counter-narrative to divisive rhetoric. His travels also draw attention on social media, where he posts updates, photographs, and reflections from the road, inspiring others to take up similar causes.
With each Independence Day, Arun Haryani’s cross-country trek reinforces a simple yet powerful message — that the ideals of peace, unity, and brotherhood are not just slogans, but values that must be lived and carried forward(DD)