Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Tuesday urged the youth to adopt the high principles of Mahatma Gandhi by learning and practising Gandhian thought in everyday life.
Inaugurating a one-day seminar on “Gandhian principle of ahimsa and its relevance today”, hosted by the Department of Politics and International Studies and the Centre for Gandhian Studies at Pondicherry University, Ms. Bedi exhorted students to realise their obligations and responsibilities.
‘Keep it clean’
Mahatma Gandhi earnestly believed that a person involved in public service should lead a simple life, she said. For a start, the youth could go the Gandhian way by keeping their homes and immediate surroundings clean, she added.
The event was held in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. The Lt. Governor later inaugurated the Puducherry branch of the Mahatma Gandhi Moral Academy.
Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Pondicherry University, in his presidential address, underlined the charismatic and epoch-making personality of Mahatma Gandhi, which left imprint not only in the affairs of India but on the international stage.
“He belonged to that noble galaxy of great leaders who wielded extraordinary power. Gandhi was an Indian to the core, but at the same time, his vision went far beyond his own nation and embraced the entire human race,” Prof. Singh added.
Prof. Moorthy, Head of the Department of Centre for Gandhian Studies, introduced the theme of the seminar.
Gandhi Kanagaraj, founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Moral Academy, Chennai, gave the special address.
Short film
A short film on Mahatma Gandhi, produced by the University students and a documentary — The Great Soul — were screened.
Registrar Sasi Kanta Dash, finance officer Prakash, assistant registrar K. Mahesh, deans, faculty members and students of the affiliated colleges of Pondicherry University participated.
