The Odisha government on Tuesday decided to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi for two years from October 2 this year.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat here. He said people belonging to all sections of society will be involved in the anniversary celebrations in the State.
Observing that Mahatma Gandhi wanted to develop society on the principles of truth and non-violence, Mr. Patnaik said that he had proposed to include ‘Ahimsa’ in the preamble of the Constitution.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Narasingha Mishra, former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang, Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Gandhian leader Bhabani Charan Patnaik and several MPs and legislators also attended the meeting.
Mr. Panda informed that five sub-committees have been constituted for the celebration of the anniversary in a grand manner. Padayatras and memorial meetings will be held across the State during the two-year period, he added.
The Minister said that Gandhiji’s birth anniversary would be celebrated in schools, colleges, urban local bodies, blocks and gram panchayats. A new website will be opened to propagate the messages of Gandhiji.
In order to commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Cuttack, a function will be organised in the city on March 23 next year, Mr. Panda said.
Statues of Mahatma Gandhi will be erected at all district headquarters and one major road at the places Gandhiji visited will also be named after him. Gandhiji had visited Odisha eight times and toured different parts of the State.
The Odisha government is also considering convening a special session of the Assembly in 2019.
