October 2, this year marks the beginning of 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. Today, also marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Here are the latest updates:
Rahul Gandhi in Wardha
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi led a foot march in Wardha, Maharashtra to mark the start of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations.
"Mahatma Gandhi talked about uniting India, but PM Narendra Modi is dividing the country," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared a post of various artistes from 124 Nations recreating Mahatma Gandhi's favourite song "Vaishnava Jan To", on his social media account.
Walking on Gandhiji’s path is real tribute to him: Fadnavis
Taking inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and vision and walking on the path shown by him is a real tribute to him, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday.
Sand artist Srinu Devina creates a sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi at Kakinada beach on Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary
On the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Fadnavis called upon people to make the Clean India Mission a success as the issue of cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s heart.
The chief minister paid tributes to him on the occasion and also took part in a padyatra in Nagpur in Maharashtra.
Ram Naik, Adityanath pay tribute
Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Ashram in Hazratganj area of the state capital. Floral tributes were also paid to the statue of Bapu at GPO Park.
Mr. Naik and Mr. Adityanath also attended the ‘Swachata hi Sewa’ programme held on the occasion at Awadh Shilpgram. They also flagged off a publicity vehicle of the khadi department.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paying tributes to statue of Gandhiji as the part of Swachchte Seva programme in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
"As India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, let’s take this opportunity to spread the message of non-violence," tweeted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Let’s remember our democratic values so we can work towards achieving global peace and tolerance, he added.
Move to posthumously award US Congressional Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi
Half a dozen influential US lawmakers, including four Indian Americans, have moved a resolution in the US House of Representatives to posthumously award the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of his promotion of peace and non-violence.
Introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York on September 23, the resolution (H R 6916) is co-sponsored by four Indian American lawmakers in the House — Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honour given by the US Congress and very few foreigners have been recipients of this award. Prominent among those include Mother Teresa (1997), Nelson Mandela (1998), Pope John Paul II (2000), the Dalai Lama (2006), Aung San Suu Kyi (2008), Muhammad Yunus (2010) and Shimon Peres (2014). - PTI
Wishing people on the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said: "Mahatma Gandhi’s life continues to inspire millions of Indians and citizens of various countries around the world. His ideals of non-violence, truthfulness and religious tolerance will always remain at the core of our democratic system. "
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi on Tuesday.
President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, party president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among the leaders who paid visit to Raj Ghat on Tuesday.
"Tomorrow is a special day. We mark the start of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of our beloved Bapu," Prime Minister Modi tweeted on Monday. He also said he will be inaugurating the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, and would attend the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention on Tuesday.
All eyes on Sevagram Ashram in Wardha
The quiet surroundings of the Sevagram Ashram and the adjoining Wardha town of Maharashtra, where Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi spent his last 11 years, are bracing for a busy Tuesday as political rivals, the Congress and the BJP, are battling for the Mahatma’s legacy.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will chair a ‘symbolic’ meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision making body.
Not to be outdone, the BJP-led government in Maharashtra too has drawn out elaborate plans for Tuesday. After paying his respects at Sevagram, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will unveil an electrically powered ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) at a community hall that the State government is building under the Sevagram Development Plan.
