<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000;">The 153rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated in Bangladesh on Sunday, October 2. The High Commission of India in Dhaka organised a programme in the chancery premises to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Addressing the gathering at the chancery, High Commissioner (Designate) Pranay Verma underlined the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in inspiring anti-colonial struggle  in Asia and Africa and his continued relevance for some of the most pressing problems  of our times like the climate changes and sustainable development. <br />''<br />''Artists of the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre presented Gandhiji's favourite songs. They also performed recitation of some poems related to Mahatma Gandhi. A short documentary on the life and message of Mahatma Gandhi was also shown on the occasion.<br />''Birth anniversary of Gandhiji was also observed at the Gandhi Ashram Trust in Noakhali and Gandhi Ashram at Jamalpur. <br />''<br />''At Noakhali, the portrait of Gandhije was garlanded at the Gandhi Ashram Trust in the morning. It was followed by prayer. A discussion meeting and cultural programme was also held at the Gandhi Ashram Trust. The meeting was presided over by Director and CEO of Gandhi Ashram Trust Raha Naba Kumar. Ismail Hossain, UNO Sonaimuri and Trustee of Gandhi Ashram Trust  was the Chief Guest on the occasion. <br />''<br />''At Jamalpur Gandhi Ashram, floral tributes were paid on the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi in which children also took part. A discussion was also organised on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Members of the Bangladesh- India Friendship society also paid homage to Mahatma  Gandhi on the occasion of his birth anniversary at Gandhi Ghat in Mushapur union of Narayanganj district.<br />''<br />''Earlier, on Saturday, in a programme organised in Dhaka on the occasion of International Day of Non-violence, Liberation War Affairs Minister of Bangladesh A K M Mozammel Haque said that Gandhi was not just the leader of Indians but for all peace loving people of the world. </span><br />