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DARJEELING | 22 OCTOBER 2025
Started from 18th October, 2025 from Darjeeling Railway Station.
The background:
Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Darjeeling to see Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das is a poignant chapter in India’s freedom struggle. In June 1925, Gandhi traveled to Darjeeling to meet Das, who was ailing and staying at “Step Aside,” a house owned by Sir N.N. Sircar, a close friend of Das.
Das, also known as “Deshbandhu,” translates to “Friend of the Nation,” was a prominent leader, lawyer, and poet who played a crucial role in India’s independence movement. He was the founder-leader of the Swaraj Party in undivided India and a key figure in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Mahatma Gandhi stayed with Deshbandhi Chittaranjan Das at Step Aside from June 4 to 9, 1925, and the two leaders had in-depth conversations about future plans for the Congress and Swaraj Parties. Das also learned spinning from Gandhi during this visit.
Tragically, Das’s health took a turn for the worse, and he passed away on June 16, 1925, just a few days after Gandhi’s visit. Gandhi led the funeral procession in Calcutta, praising Das as “one of the greatest of men” who dreamed and worked tirelessly for India’s freedom.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) team, Association For Conservation and Tourism(ACT), Inner Wheel Club, Hayden Hall, Vikrun Foundation, Darjeeling Homestay Owners Association, and Mero Darjeeling. The march was formally flagged off by the Director and Station Managers, who commended the spirit of collaboration and commitment shown by the participants.
The day began with a plogging walk starting from Darjeeling station. Participants walked all the way to Ghum, the highest railway station in the world on any narrow gauge railway, collecting waste along the route and raising awareness about the importance of keeping the hills clean along with our rich heritage conservation.
This initiative is not just a walk, but a movement to protect the natural beauty , cultural legacy and history of the region.
The event concluded in Ghum with a short reflection session. The weather remained pleasant throughout the day, adding to the positive energy and success of the launch.
The Shatabdi March is expected to continue as a series of activities celebrating 100 years of Gandhiji’swalk , Darjeeling’s railway heritage and encouraging sustainable tourism in the hills.
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