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Glowing tributes paid to apostle of peace, non-violence

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/2/2013 11:33:56 PM

Homage paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri also

JAMMU, Oct 2: Various political and non-political organizations, individuals today paid glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 144th birth anniversary across Jammu region and remembered him as an apostle of peace and non-violence.
The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti across the country and is also marked as the International Day of Non-Violence.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President and former Union Minister Prof Saifuddin Soz, while paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in a statement, described him (Gandhi JI) as an apostle of peace and staunch believer of non-violence whose sacrifices and teachings were indelibly marked on the global conscience. Soz also paid tributes to Lal Bahudur Shastri on his birthday.
Several functions were also held today across the state by Congress party to celebrate the 144th birth anniversary of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.
The main function was held at PCC headquarters, Shaheedi Chowk Jammu, in which leaders of PCC, DCC, BCC, including ministers, ex-ministers, legislators and frontal organizations of the party participated in large number. The function was presided over by PCC senior vice president Dharam Pal Sharma and was attend by Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma, Thakur Hari Singh, ex-ministers Mula Ram, R S Chib; Kanta Bhan, ex-MLAs Om Chopra, Shiv Dev Singh, Thakur Puran Singh; S R Sudhir, K L Gupta, K L Abrol, Manmohan Singh, Narinder Sharma, Y V Sharma, Hari Singh Chib, Ravi Singh Slathia, Narinder Gupta, Sanjay Sawhney and Rajiv K Gupta.
Speakers while paying tributes to father of nation said that Gandhiji was one of the most respected spiritual leaders of 19th century. He led a non-violent revolution which became the foundation for gaining independence. He unarguably was one of the greatest men in the history of India. His vision for India entailed that “Every religion has its full and equal place in the country.” His teachings of social justice, non-violence, establishment of secular harmonious society, amity and brotherhood were more relevant today when communal forces were out today to divide the people on the basis of caste, creed and religion.
The leaders, while speaking on the occasion, said, “We as Congressmen have a responsibility of taking forward both democracy and non-violence which are essential and of extreme importance in our daily lives for conducting day to day affairs. Best tributes to Mahatma Gandhi would be to take pledge that whatever challenges come in our way, we will adopt non-violence and face them.”
Kishtwar Congress leaders also celebrated Gandhi Jayanti function at Kishtwar under the chairmanship of Thakur Jugal Bhandari state secretary Pradesh Congress Committee J&K.
Bhandari congratulated all on Gandhi Jayanti and on the birthday of Lal Bhadur Shastri and requested the party workers to follow the ideas and teaching of Gandhiji and Shastriji in their life.
While paying tributes to Gandhi, Thakur said that Gandhi ji’s philosophy of non-violence, peace and brotherhood was becoming more relevant with every passing day as the entire world looks towards Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and philosophy for guidance.
Pradesh Congress Seva Dal also organized one day seminar on the occasion to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi 144th birth anniversary in Jammu under the chairmanship of its state chief Balvinder Singh Sambyal and appealed the Congress workers to unite and work against communalism. While speaking on the occasion, Singh said, “Gandhi Ji’s dream was of a secular society for which he worked very hard. He also worked in Congress office as a clerk to spread the ideology of Congress for freedom of entire country and worked very hard for the welfare of the weaker section of the society.”
District Congress Committee (DCC) Urban accorded warm welcome and reception to Sadbhavana Yatra on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti from Kanpur (UP) on reaching at Railway Station Park Jammu. Former MLA and president Om Chopra along with other office bearers garlanded them. The Yatra is aimed at spreading message of peace, brotherhood, communal harmony and trust in J&K as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, an icon of peace and non violence. Later, the yatra proceeded to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi for Darshan after a brief stay at Jammu.
The activists of Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) R S Pura and Suchet Garh under the supervision of their block presidents Kushwant Singh and Dheeraj Sharma respectively also paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 144th birthday organized by the activists of the Congress.
Jammu and Kashmir Dehati Seva Sanstha Jindermelhu, R S Pura under the leadership of its president Ghara Ram Mottan also celebrated the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Former CMO Girdhari Lal Mottan was the chief guest who also paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion.
Awami National Conference (ANC) greeted the people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, being celebrated across country today. In a programme organized at party headquarter in Jammu, the provincial president Gian Singh in his message said that this was an occasion for all of us to rededicate ourselves to reflect on the life, work and message of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
“Gandhiji taught us to stand resolutely against fear, to understand the importance of truth and to work for the eradication of poverty, illiteracy and discrimination. He inspired millions to unite for the cause of freedom and independence,” the speakers said. District president Vijay Magotra recalled Mahatma Gandhi's contributions to the struggle for the achievement of freedom from the colonial yoke, his sustained campaign against social injustice, racism and suppression of the under-privileged sections and his unending pursuit for establishment of a truly secular and harmonious society.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also celebrated Gandhi Jayanti and the birth anniversary pf one of the greatest Prime Ministers of India Lal Bhahadur Shastri at Jammu. The function was presided over by NCP chief and former minister Thakur Randhir Singh.
While addressing the gathering, Singh said that best tributes to be paid to the father of the nation on his 144th birth anniversary and to Lal Bahadur Shastriji, who was symbol of honesty and integrity, was to fight out against the corruption which had become a cancer and particularly among political class, bureaucrats and corporate world.
Socialistic Democratic Party (SDP) also paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in a function held at central party office which was presided over by SDP general secretary Ajay Kumar.
In his address, Ajay Kumar lamented the country had forgotten the teachings of Mahatma. He exhorted the youth of the country to come forward to take active part in the political activities for the nation’s good.
Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) also paid glorious tribute to Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi organised by the party at Kusht Ashram by distributing food items, books, pen, pencils among inhabitants of the Ashram beside children. The party member remembered the thoughts and values of Mahatma Gandhi with focus on tolerance for mankind and brotherhood across the globe.
Advocates Tejinder Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Arun Sasan, Manik Sharma and Rajeshwar Bakshi were among those who paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
National Secular Forum (NSF) began its membership campaign in Jammu today on the eve of birth anniversaries of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi in the Canal Road area of the Jammu city.
Addressing the media, NSF president Sukhdev Singh said that on the first day of membership campaign NSF volunteers covered the major colleges hostel of the Jammu city in which thousands youth joined the party fold. He further said that NSF would continue its membership drive till the entire institutions of the Jammu province was covered.
G.S. Accounts also celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at its Head office, Lower Moti Bazar, Parade. The birthday of Lal Bahadur Shastri was also celebrated with great fervor and the students took part in the celebrations.
Maharaja Suraj Mal Institute of Education and Research Rangpur Malarian Tehsil R.S. Pura also celebrated Mahatma Gandhi birthday by organising debate competition on topic of teaching of Mahatma Gandhi in present situation of the world. Rich tributes were paid by students and staff to Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
To observe 144th birth anniversary of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi, Saryara Biradri Welfare Committee (SBWC), today organized a cleanliness drive at ward number 47, Bahu Fort in which its members along with women and children participated in the drive. The entire clean drive event was coordinated by SBWC president Jagdev Raj Daloutra and assisted by Harbans Lal Chalotra.
Jagdev, while speaking on the occasion stressed the need to maintain cleanliness in public area and stated that with administration, local residents had also a major role to play in this regard. He also highlighted the principles and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion. He also expressed happiness over the participation of large number of youth in the drive and urged them to take initiative to ensure that surroundings were kept clean all the time.
All members of Sky high India Social Organisation also remembered the contributions of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
After garlanding the statues of both the great personalities in presence of members of organization, social workers and general public Aman Kalsotra prominent social activist and Director Sky High India Social Organization threw light on the life history of both the leaders and also took pledge to follow their footsteps.
An impressive programme was held on the 147th birth anniversary of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan Sher-eh-Duggar at Lala Hans Raj Park on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi celebration under the leadership of Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha president Vinod Gupta.
The garlanding ceremony of statues of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan and Dr L C Gupta carried out during the function following by Havan and Pooja done at old Mahajan Sabha office Sabzi Mandi Jammu.
Tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi also on this occasion.
J&K Khadi & Village Industries Board Jammu Division celebrated the 144th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. D P Khajuria, director on Board, was the chief guest while Muzaffar Nasir Allaqaband, deputy CEO, KVIB, Jammu division, presided over the function.
The students of Blind School, Roop Nagar, and Montessoie Higher Secondary School presented a cultural programme in which they staged a play based on Mahatama Gandhi’s teachings. The chief guest D P Khajuria, speaking on the occasion recalled Ghandiji’s assertion that Khadi was a step forward in the direction of removing hunger.
He also distributed gift packs and souvenirs among the school students.
Mahatma Gandhi Intellectual’s Society celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at Gandhi Chowk, Satwari.
Raman Bhalla (patron) was the chief guest on this occasion. He paid floral tributes to the Mahatma on his statue at Gandhi Chowk.
President of the Mahatma Gandhi Intellectual’s Society, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, addressed the large gathering and spoke on the occasion. Tributes were also paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Gandhi Memorial College of Education, Raipur Bantalab, Jammu (a unit of Hindu Education Society Kashmir) celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, with usual enthusiasm and commitment.
To commemorate Gandhiji’s teachings, a debate was organized on “The Gandhian philosophy and its impact on youth” today in which students from different schools participated.
On this occasion president HESK Anil Dhar was the chief guest. He, while paying rich tributes to the Father of the Nation, described Gandhiji as an apostle of peace and a true believer of non-violence. He recalled the Mahatma's historical contributions and the monumental role played by him for the country, achieving freedom from the colonial yoke and stressed on strengthening the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and reviving secular traditions, which were the hallmarks of Gandhian philosophy.
General Secretary (HESK) A.K Raina also spoke on this occasion and threw light on Gandhiji’s struggle against social injustice and racism and encouraged the students to fulfill their dreams of making India prosperous. Sanjay Dhar, Aswani Kumar, Sunil Ticku (EB members HESK), B L Zutshi were also present on this function. The welcome address was presented by Prof G.L Koul, principal GMCEJ. Dr Arti Durani and B L Koul were the judges.
Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan (BLSKS) organized a function on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti to pay tribute to father of nation Mahtma Gandhi at its premises Durga Bhawan Janipur. K LVerma, the disciple of Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was the chief guest and V K Magotra,former Regional Director of Directorate of Field publicity, was the guest of honour.
Verma unfurled the National flag and highlighted the teaching of Gandhiji and his contribution to world peace and exhorted the masses to follow his teachings. He also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri and his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan:” The programme commenced with the singing of national anthem and a song “Vaisnav Jan…Pir Parai Jano Re” and also recited the Dogri song “Dharti De Lal.”
Earlier chairman BLSKS M L Dogra welcomed the chief guest and audience and also paid tribute to Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. A cultural programme was also organized by the artistes of BLSKS which enthralled the audience.
The patriotic songs were recited by renowned artistes viz., Usha Handoo, Hem Raj, K K Joshi, Rajni Pummy, Archana, Neelam Gandotra, Raju Bajgal, Kuldeep, Gauri Lal, Shiv Kumar and Kamli. M C Kotwal conducted the programme.