A total of 150 villages would be adopted in the country to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to showcase idea of Gram Swaraj to develop education and rural economy in these villages, according to P.V. Rajagopal, Chairman, Ekta Parishad.
Talking to The Hindu at Gandhigram near here on Wednesday, he said that 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi gave us a great opportunity to work towards creation of non-violent economic world. There was great enthusiasm globally to explore the idea of non-violent economy.
The present transition movement in Europe was basically inspired by this concept only. Similarly, ethical banking was also picking up globally. With the issues of global warming and climate change haunting the globe, the real search was on for an alternative and the Gandhian movement would certainly help those looking for answers to such crisis within and outside the country.
With the failure of all frameworks, it is high time to address progress issues through Gandhian framework, he insisted.
In 1969, when Gandhi’s centenary was celebrated, there were special trains to take Gandhi message across the country. For the 150th year celebrations, we should get down to the campaign mode and reach out to more people, said Mr. Rajagopal.
We had plans to reach out young people in rural and urban areas and inspire them with Gandhian thoughts and principles, he said, and added that it would be the right time to re-articulate Gandhi’s talisman economy for a sustainable growth, he added.
Gandhigram Trust Secretary V. Sivakumar said that a ‘dreaming together and working together’ concept would be followed to mark the anniversary. Gandhian activists at the chosen villages would be roped in to implement various programmes on education, income generation activities for a sustainable development of rural economy.
A meeting with Gandhian activists would be held at Gandhigarm on September 14 to discuss further.
