Gandhi @150 : How Nation is Celebrating this Occasion?

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary many events will be organized in India and also in abroad. The government of each state also want to show their love and respect for the ‘Bapu’. They are trying to connect with as many citizens as possible to get maximum political advantage of this occasion. The central government is also organizing one such event to show their gratitude towards the Mahatma.

The ruling saffron party (BJP) will announce their grand project “Gandhi Sankalp Yatra” from October 2. PM Narendra Modi will launch the program himself from Delhi in which the BJP has decided to promote the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. The well known ideals of Non-violence, use of Khadi clothes, plantation and Cleanliness will be the theme of the event. The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has urged citizens to participate in the Fit India Plog Run. Plog run involves picking up plastic waste and other garbage from the surroundings while jogging. This is also a part of the Fit India Movement launched by PM Modi.

The Home Minister Amit Shah has also instructed the party workers to begin campaigns in their respective constituencies to promote Bapu’s ideals. He said, “The BJP is committed to implement the ideals and principles of Gandhi. We have to reach every household with Gandhi’s message of cleanliness, non-violence, Swadeshi, Swaraj and Saadgi (simplicity).”

Meanwhile, the grand old party Congress is also trying to gain some support in the name of the Mahatma. The party is organizing a week long celebration on this occasion. The AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal informed the state units that the programme to observe the anniversary will start with a padayatra on October 2 and all senior leaders will take part in this. The Congress president Sonia Gandhi will lead the padayatra in Delhi and Rahul Gandhi is expected to be present in the march at Sevagram in Wardha while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will lead the event in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Venugopal also urged the workers to wear caps having Bapu’s picture during the Padayatra.

In Madhya Pradesh, State Congress organized a meeting of office bearers to finalise the events to be held on Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The party also made a strategy to raise and spread issues of job loss, unemployment and economic slowdown against the Modi government to the people.

In Jamshedpur, a Sadbhavna Daud (Harmony Race) will be organized by the Indian Red cross Society starting at 6am from Sakchi roundabout to Keenan Stadium on 2nd October. The single use plastics would be collected during the harmony race to give a message of Cleanliness.

In the East Champaran district of Bihar from where Gandhi Ji began the Freedom Movement a hundred years ago, the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma will be celebrated in a grand manner. The ongoing 7 day celebrations will conclude on 2nd October.

This year’s Gandhi Jayanti is going to be a huge occasion for the country to celebrate. Countries like United Kingdom an South Africa will also be participating in the celebration. In UK, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge will organize events to remember and celebrate the life of the Mahatma. However, London will be leading the array of events because of Bapu’s special connection with the city. Gandhi spent a few years as a law student in London and lived in West Kensington during his student days. A Heritage Blue Plaque marks his house with the words “Mahatma Gandhi lived here as a law student”.

Waseem Gauri