Puri, April 10: Globally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Tuesday made a sand art to commemorate the concluding ceremony of the Champaran Satyagraha. The renowned artist showcased his art at Odisha’s Puri beach with messages saying ‘Chalo Champaran’ and ‘Satyagraha Se Swachhagraha’ for Swachh Bharat initiative. The artist also appealed people of the nation to join the pathbreaking initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived at Motihari in Bihar and addressed thousands of people on the concluding ceremony of the Champaran Satyagraha celebrations.

See Pics of Sudarsan's Sand Art at Puri Beach in Odisha:

Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Engraves ‘Chalo Champaran’ on Sand (Photo Credits: Twitter, @sudarsansand)

On PM Modi's arrival in Bihar, the Prime Minister was received by Bihar Governor Saatyapal Malik, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and several senior BJP leaders. It must be noted that theme of the centenary celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha is "Satyagraha se Swachhagrah" and aims to promote Swachh Bharat mission.

Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Engraves ‘Chalo Champaran’ on Sand (Photo Credits: Twitter, @sudarsansand)

During his visit to Bihar on Tuesday, the Prime Minister also flagged off India's first 12,000 horsepower electric locomotive from Bihar's Madhepura locomotive factory on Tuesday. As per reports, nearly 20,000 Swachhagrahis attended the function.

Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Engraves ‘Chalo Champaran’ on Sand (Photo Credits: Twitter, @sudarsansand)

The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was the first Satyagraha movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and a major revolt in the Indian Independence Movement. Under Colonial-era laws, many tenant farmers were forced to grow some indigo on a portion of their land as a condition of their tenancy. This indigo was used to make dye.

Back then, the Germans had invented a cheaper artificial dye so the demand for indigo fell. Some tenants paid more rent in return for being let off having to grow indigo. However, during the First World War the German dye ceased to be available and so indigo became profitable again.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2018 03:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).