Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 30: Paying rich tributes to Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Gandhi’s philosophy holds the key to maintain peace and harmony in the world.
Addressing party workers at a function held at the PCC headquarters here today to pay homage to the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his martyrdom, Mr Azad said that Mahatma Gandhi lived a life full of principles and led the freedom movement against a mighty ruler based on principles of `Ahinsa’, truthfulness and ultimately achieved it. He believed more in practical implementation of his principles and philosophy in his day-to-day life and activities rather than only intellectual approach to all issues.
Mr Azad said that the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi is becoming more relevant with every passing day. The entire world tries to learn a lesson from his life and principles. His philosophy holds the key to peace and religious harmony in the world. He taught non-violence and tolerance to deal with all issues confronting the humanity. The countrymen should follow his principles to have peace & harmony.
Cautioning people and the party workers about the attempt to torpedo the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi by certain forces who glorify his killer, Mr Azad said that such a path is a threat to the secular fabric of this nation, as secularism is the basic strength of our pluralistic society. He said that Mahatma Gandhi had seen a ray of hope in Kashmir because it maintained religious harmony when entire nation was in the grip of communal frenzy at the time of partition and asked partymen to take a pledge to spread and follow his philosophy and principles in day to day life.
The function was presided over by Thakur Hari Singh, vice president PCC and attended by president and functionaries of DCC Jammu (Urban), Block and Ward Presidents, Mahila Congress and other prominent leaders including legislators.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLA Ch Akram, Ch Mumtaz -MLA, MLC Naresh Gupta, Ravinder Sharma-MLC, Sham Lal Bhagat MLC, Anil Chopra DCC Jammu president, Indu Pawar Ex-MLA, Ashok Sharma Ex-MLA and Gurdarshan Singh.
Floral tributes were paid to the Father of Nation on his death anniversary in a function organized at Ghordi in Chenani under the chairmanship of Krishan Chander Bhagat Ex MLA Chenani. The former MLA and other Congress workers paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Brij Mohan Sharma, Geeta Khajuria, Sham Lal Sanotra and Shashi Manhas were also present. The MLA addressed the gathering and recalled sacrifices of Mahtama Gandhi and his role in freedom struggle.
NSUI remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 67th death anniversary in a function held at Kishtwar. Members of NSUI unit Kishtwar paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation. The event was held under the leadership of Prakash Singh Dadwal, district unit president of NSUI. While paying homage Dadwal described Gandhi as the most respected and towering world leader. He said that his non-violent revolution become the foundation for gaining independence.
Congress unit Kishtwar also organised another function under the leadership of Randeep Bhandari and paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation. Several other party activists also joined Bhandari.
Meanwhile, on the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, rich tributes were paid to Father of the Nation in a function organized by Gandhi Global Family at Dewan-e-Aam, Mubarak Mandi Jammu today.
National president of Gandhi Global Family, Ghulam Nabi Azad was the chief guest on the occasion. MLC Naresh Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, IGP Rajesh Kumar, Director Health Services Jammu, Dr BS Pathania, Commissioner JMC, Kiran Wattal, Padamshree SP Varma, vice president Gandhi Global Family besides teachers, large number of students from different educational institutions, prominent citizens, NGOs and large number of volunteers of Gandhi Global Family from all over the State participated in the programme.
While paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Mr Azad said that Gandhiji’s philosophy is very much relevant even today. He called upon the institutions of civil society and all citizens to follow Gandhi Ji’s principles of truth, non-violence and the ideals for which the Mahatma struggled and sacrificed his life.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu also deliberated upon the relevance of Gandhian thoughts for maintaining peace, truth and non-violence and lauded the efforts of the Gandhi Global Family in disseminating the teachings of Gandhi Ji which would help in progressive and productive development of the nation. He stressed for carrying forward the message of universal brotherhood and peace.
Describing Mahatma Gandhi as an apostle of peace and the real architect of freedom movement of India, S P Verma said that Martyrs like him always remain alive in the hearts of the masses for centuries to come. He urged the students to study the biography of Mahatma Gandhi to spread his teachings.
A similar function was organized at Gandhi Chowk, Satwari, by Mahatma Gandhi Intellectual’s Society Jammu.
Patron of the Society and former Minister Raman Bhalla, Kuldeep Raj Gupta (Bitta), president of the society ,members of the society ,prominent citizens and students in large numbers attended the programme and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
Speaking on the occasion Raman Bhalla highlighted the role of Mahatma Gandhi in upliftment of the weaker sections of the society and his role in enlightening the Indian Community South Africa. He requested the masses to follow the principles of the Father of Nation. Kuldeep Gupta, president of the Society, while speaking on the occasion highlighted the role of the Father of the Nation in the freedom struggle.
Rich tributes were also paid to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on Samriti Diwas by Dr Bharat Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority and other officers at Kathua.
Dr Bhushan said that every year 30th January is celebrated as Samriti Divas in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and told that on this day we remember our freedom fighters and Social reformers who contributed in freedom struggle of the country.
SDM Hiranagar Sohan Lal, Joint Director Planning, Ram Rattan, Chief Education Officer Kathua, T R Mangotra, Assistant Director Babu Ram Sharma and a large number of employees and functionaries of local unit of Gandhi Global family were among those who were present on the occasion.
Senior Vice President J&K PCC, Former Minister and Member, AICC Abdul Gani Vakil today 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 the establishment of a truly secular and a harmonious society. Vakil said this while paying glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the function organized by Seva Dal at Jammu today.
District Congress Seva Dal, Samba Unit paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. State Chief of Congress Seva Dal Balvinder Singh Sambyal addressed the gathering and threw light on the life and teachigs of Mahatma Gandhi.Among others present were Raj Kumar, Dimple Sambyal, Kulbir Singh, Yash Pal Singh, Daljeet Singh, Choudhary Satpal, Pardeep Singh, Sai Dev Singh, Anil Bhagat, etc.