Bhubaneswar, Sept 25: State government Tuesday decided to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi for two years from October2 this year.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here at the State Secretariat . Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, noted freedom fighter and Gandhian Bhawani Charan Patnaik, ministers and Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi were among others present at the meeting.
Stating that he has proposed to include ‘Ahimsa’ in the preamble of the Constitution, Patnaik said, “Ahimsa is the most powerful weapon against social injustice and poverty.”
“Independence of the country was not the sole aim of Mahatma Gandhi. He (Gandhiji) had the prime objective to develop the fundamental value in Indian society. Gandhiji’s two mantras — truth and non-violence — have relevance in the present day society,” he said.
Naveen also stated that Mahatma Gandhi visited Odisha 8 times and touring many areas, he had realised the reality then. Odisha had inspired Gandhiji for launching his ‘Khadi Movement’.
He appealed to all the members of celebration committee to put forth their suggestions and also solicited cooperation for the successful celebration of the anniversary.
It was decided at the meeting to set up four sub-committees for the celebration of the anniversary in the state in a grand manner. The meeting also chalked out various programmes to celebrate the occasion (see chart).
Culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda said, State archaeological department in association with Aditya Birla Foundation’s Eternal Gandhi Centre will set up a Saswat Gandhi Kendra at Khandagiri-Udaygiri. “Hope, this centre will be completed by January and dedicated to Gandhiji’s ideology and principles,” he said.
The meeting also decided to identify one Kasturba Gram Panchayat in each block, where various programmes will be undertaken.
This apart, the state government will consider convening a special session of the state Assembly in 2019.
Mishra proposed that the old age pension should be raised from Rs 300 a month to at least Rs 1,000 a month as elderly people even after 72 years of Independence were facing problems in arranging a square meal every day.