BHUBANESWAR: A three-day programme is being organised jointly by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Gandhi National Museum and the Kasturba Trust to mark the 150th birth of Mahatma Gandhi at the Scout and Guide Bhawan here Monday.
Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Chairman Krushna Mohanty inaugurated the event in the presence of freedom fighters Neelamani Samal and, Bhawani Pattnaik, Chief Commissioner of Scout Kali Prasad Mishra and Justice Manoranjan Mohanty among others.
Pattnaik unveiled a logo of Gandhi 150, an organisation, and Mishra unveiled a badge of the same. Samal unveiled books ‘Gandhi’s Padayatra’ and ‘Gandhian Constructive Work in Odisha’ by Soma Chand.
Mahatma Gandhi’s chair, chappal, chasma, pen, books and letters were put on display. Students of Bajirouth Chhatrabas from Angul demonstrated the spinning of the charkha.
Manoranjan Mohanty said, “We wanted to send a message to the new generation about Gandhiji, his lifestyle and how he dedicated his life for India’s freedom. In 1921, Gandhi visited Cuttack and the items he used are displayed here today.”
Vice Chairperson of Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust Gayatri Dash said, “Gandhi’s principles and thoughts are dying. So we took the initiative to spread his messages, principles and thoughts.”
National Committee Member of ‘Gandhi 150’ Biswajeet said, “The entire world will celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. We are celebrating it in a grand way. Items used by Gandhi when he first visited Cuttack and some items collected from the National Museum in New Delhi are displayed here.”