A grateful nation pays homage to the Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 143 birth anniversary today. An all-religion prayer was held at his memorial at Raj Ghat in Delhi this morning. The President, Vice President, Prime Minister, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and senior BJP leader L K Advani and several others leaders paid floral tributes at the Samadhi of the father of the nation.
Several functions are being organised across the country to mark the occasion. The nation also remembers former Prime Minister late Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 108th birth anniversary today.
All India Radio, Delhi will broadcast a Radio report in connection with various events organising in Delhi on the occasion of birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on Indraprastha channel at 8.30 p.m.
An exhibition of indigenous textiles titled — Gandhiji and Textiles of Peace — also opened to the general public in New Delhi today. The Khadi and Malka exhibition organised at the National Archives of India in the national capital showcases textile products by several leading craftsmen and organisations in the country. The exhibition will remain open from 11 am to 8 pm till the 11th of this month.
Besides this, a display of rare archival documents and photographs titled — A Satyagrahi of South Africa: Mahatma Gandhi and Hindi — is also on view to coincide with the celebration. The display portrays the activites of Gandhiji in South Africa as well as his support for the cause of Indians living there after his departure in 1914. His philosophy, concern for Hindi and his memorabilia are highlights of the display.
In Gujrat, 144th birth Anniversary of father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi is being celebrated as International Non-violence day today. A series of functions have been organised in Gujrat to mark the occasion. Special programs including All Religion prayers have been organised at Kirti Mandir Porbandar-the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi in the presence of Chief Minister Mr.Narendra Modi. All Religion Prayer, lecture and exhibition on work and life of Mahatma Gandhi have also been organised at Sabarmati Gandhi Ashrama-in Ahmedabad. Governor of Gujarat Dr.Shrimati Kamala attended the function. Our Ahmedabad Correspondent reports that State Government has started celebrations of prohibition week-to spread the message of total prohibition among the people of state.
In West Bengal, the main function was held at Barackpur Gandhighat where Governor MK Narayanan paid floral tribute at the martyrs' column. Later, Mr. Narayanan also paid homage at the Gandhi statue in Kolkata. Our correspondent reports that a special programme was organised at Peliaghata Gandhi Bhawan to mark the occasion. Various organisations have launched series of welfare programmes on the occasion.
In Puducherry, floral tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Lt. Governor Iqbal Singh and Chief Minister Rangaswami garlanded the Gandhi statue at Beach Road. An all religion prayer meeting was also held. At a function held in Pradesh Congress Committee office, Union Minister, V. Narayansamy, Pradesh Congress Committee President, A.B.Subramanian and other Congress functionaries garlanded the Mahatma Gandhi's portrait.
In Andaman and Nicobar islands, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervor across the islands. In a befitting tribute to the father nation, the Administration imposed a complete ban on Gutka products in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
In Dubai, the expatriate Indian Community in the West Asia region is paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The Indian Consulate in Dubai has organized a musical evening dedicated to the favorite Bhajans of Bapu by vocalists from India. The relevance of Mahatma’s preaching on truth, non violence and respect for humanity will always be relevant. The latest in the contemporary world has been the address by the US President Barak Obama to UN General Assembly who invoked the people to follow the steps of Mahatma Gandhi in context of the violence in the Middle East region.
