Gandhi adopting the principle of non-violence made him a Mahatma, says Shashil Namoshi

“The principle of non-violence elevated Gandhi to the status of Mahatma not only in India but across the world,” said Legislative Council member Shashil G. Namoshi, while addressing a programme marking the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

The event, jointly organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Information and Public Relations, Kalaburagi City Corporation, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat and Bharat Seva Dal, was organised at the Kannada Bhavan in the city.

Special lectures on Gandhian philosophy, an inter-school essay competition on Gandhi, distribution of prizes to winners and an all-faith prayer and harmony song recital were all part of the celebrations.

Recalling Gandhi’s struggle in South Africa for over two decades before returning to India in 1915, Mr. Namoshi said that Gandhi united the nation and led the freedom struggle with the power of truth and non-violence.

“That is why he is revered as the Father of the Nation,” he said. He also paid tributes to the former Prime Minister late Lal Bahadur Shastri whose birth anniversary also falls on October 2, recalling his iconic call of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.

Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, along with people’s representatives and senior officers, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries in Kalaburagi on Thursday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Delivering a special lecture, lecturer from Government PU College, Jewargi, Savita B. Nasi stressed that Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj lives on through the Panchayati Raj system.

She said that Gandhi’s insistence on simplicity, honesty and truth remain relevant today.

“True freedom will come when women feel safe even at midnight. But today, crimes against women are rising at an alarming rate. We must introspect on whether this was the freedom Gandhi dreamt of,” she remarked.

The programme began with MLA Allamaprabhu Patil inaugurating the event by garlanding portraits of Gandhi and Shastri and later, presenting cash prizes to essay competition winners.

Prior to the event, officials, including Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa, Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasalu, and City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde paid floral tributes at Gandhi’s statue near the Town Hall.

The gathering also witnessed an all-faith prayer where leaders from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Sikh communities offered recitations, underscoring Gandhi’s ideal of communal harmony.

Artists led by Sridhar Hosamani sang Gandhi’s favourite bhajans and harmony songs, concluding with Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and the national anthem.

Nine students from high schools, pre-university colleges, undergraduate and postgraduate levels who excelled in the essay competition were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

The event was attended by senior officials, writers, social workers and students.