Human chains, cultural rallies, Swachhta campaigns and an integration conclave marked the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Bhubaneswar
BHUBANESWAR: Educational institutes, NGOs and general public observed the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi with a slew of programmes here Wednesday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended the National Integration Conclave at Institute of Engineers. The event saw guests discuss the significance of the Mahatma, with Patnaik extolling the values and teachings of Gandhiji.
He said that Gandhian thought still has relevance in current times. “If each of us inculcate non-violence in our everyday lives, that would bring a lot of the present day problems to an end,” he said. Patnaik felicitated freedom fighter Bhawani Charan Pattnaik on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi titled ‘Gandhi and Odisha’. Apart from showcasing the pictures from seminal moments of Gandhi’s life, the exhibition also chronicled Gandhi’s times in Odisha.
There were historical pictures of Gandhi in gatherings in Angul and Kathajodi as well as a frame of Bapu in Bhadrak with Mirabehn and Independence activist Jayaprakash Narayan.
The atmosphere for the day was set by the devotional song ‘Vaishnav Jan’ which was being played in loud speakers near the exhibition.
The Odisha Khadi and Gramodyog Board also commemorated the birth anniversary of Gandhi in a ceremony that was attended by its members, freedom fighter Bhawani Charan Pattnaik and advisor to the WCD and Mission Shakti departments Sulota Das among others at Bhanja Kala Mandap.
Members of the board held a discussion on Khadi’s role as an important weapon in freedom struggle. They put forth their views on importance of Khadi in current times and how it is a big help to the state’s cottage industry. Amresh Pati said that Khadi is not just a fabric but a thought.
Bhawani Charan Pattnaik reminded the audience of Gandhi who urged people to boycott British products and use khadi instead as part of the Swadeshi Movement.
Students from orphanages and various ashrams were distributed prizes for various competitions that were organised on the occasion. The children were also handed out copies of Gandhi’s autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’.
DAV Public School, Unit VIII, celebrated the occasion with great zeal and patriotism. The day began with a cleanliness drive where students, teachers and parents covered a huge distance on foot propagating Bapu’s message. Gandhiji’s most preferred devotional song ‘Raghupati Rahav Raja Ram’ was sung by the school choir.
A Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was observed at IIT Bhubaneswar at its permanent campus to commemorate the occasion. R V Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar offered floral tribute to “Bapuji” in the presence of other faculty, students and staff.
Meanwhile, ‘Fit India Run’ was organised by Kendriya Vidyalaya 4 where 1000 participants traversed a distance of four kms in the city. They donned eco-friendly hats, held carry bags and collected plastic garbage from houses and offices along the way.
Students of Ramadevi University also took out a rally where they rendered slogans of ‘Plastic Free Odisha’ and ‘Fit India’. They also cleaned the premises of the university with great enthusiasm.
On the occasion, Indian Council of Agriculture Research concluded the Swachhata Hi Seva programme which was launched September 11. The institute conducted several awareness programmes on plastic waste management in nearby schools and public places.
Campaigns and rallies were also conducted in Astaranga, Dhauli and Uttara Chowk to educate masses about the perils of single use plastic. Various competitive events like debates, drawing and essay writing were conducted for school students in these places.
The event was attended by several eminent personalities. Lok Sabha MP Aparajita Sarangi graced the occasion as chief guest. Gandhian Prahallad Kumar Sinha was the guest of honour.
The meeting was attended by over 200 people comprising scientists, farmers and the school students from six neighbouring high schools. B R Pillai, Director, ICAR-CIFA welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the programme.
Noted Gandhian Prahlad Sinha spoke on the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He urged the students and other people present to follow the path of ‘Satya’ and ‘Ahimsa’. The chief guest gave away certificates to the school children. In her address, Sarangi said, “In order to fulfill Mahatma’s dream of Swachh Bharat, PM Narendra Modi launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan October 2, 2014.”
“The campaign was aimed at involving people from all strata of the society towards making India clean. This is a true tribute to Mahatma on his 150th birthday,” she added.
On the occasion, city-based NGO Bakul Foundation organised an event ‘Painting the City’ to create awareness among denizens for cleanliness. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the event in the presence of local legislators and municipal commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.
The event is a tribute to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. “With paintings and artwork on walls and public places, we are spreading the message of cleanliness,” said founder Sujit Mohapatra.
Event Catalogue
- Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended the National Integration Conclave where guests discussed the significance of Gandhian teachings in contemporary times
- About 1000 participants traversed four kms in the city in a rally titled ‘Fit India Run’ organised by Kendriya Vidyalaya IV
- City-based NGO Bakul Foundation organised an event ‘Painting the City’ to create awareness about cleanliness among denizens of the city
- Students of Ramadevi University also took out a rally where they formed human chains on either side of national highways