North Karnataka: Gandhiji, Shastri’s ideals of simplicity, non-violence and equality recalled

The birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri were celebrated with fervour in Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag and Uttara Kannada on Friday (October 2), with government agencies, educational institutions and various organisations paying rich tributes to the two great leaders of the nation.

Cleanliness drives were also carried out to mark the occasion. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took part in a cleanliness drive at Sainagar in Hubballi by sweeping the street and collecting garbage.

During the programmes, interfaith prayers, cultural performances and prize distribution to students who won various competitions were held and speakers called upon people to uphold the values of truth, non-violence, simplicity, equality and communal harmony.

In Dharwad, Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. urged people to practise Gandhiji’s principles in their daily lives and accord priority to cleanliness and peaceful coexistence. Inaugurating the programme at Gandhi Bhavan by watering a sapling, she said non-violence meant living harmoniously with others without hatred or hostility.

She called upon residents to keep the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad clean and peaceful. Religious leaders representing Hinduism, Islam and Christianity spoke about the relevance of Gandhiji’s message. Gandhian thinker and gynaecologist Sanjeev Kulkarni highlighted the need to address environmental degradation, pollution and violence in society through Gandhian values.

The programme was presided over by Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase. Students who won Gandhi essay competitions in school, pre-university and degree categories were felicitated.

In Gadag, Deputy Commissioner C.N. Sridhar said Gandhiji and Shastri, though belonging to different generations, shared a commitment to equality, compassion and service. He urged people to replace individualistic attitudes with collective responsibility, emphasising on the importance of simplicity and humility in public life.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Mukul Jain recalled Gandhiji’s principle of considering the welfare of the poorest and most vulnerable while taking decisions. He also highlighted the concept of Gram Swaraj, stating that self-reliant villages were fundamental to national development.

Students recited passages from the Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible. Essay competition winners were felicitated at the programme held at the district administration auditorium.

In Haveri, Deputy Commissioner Vijayamahantesh Danammanavar inaugurated the celebrations at Gandhi Bhavan by spinning yarn on a charkha and paying floral tributes to Gandhiji and Shastri.

Deputy Commissioner of Haveri Vijayamahantesh Danammanavar inaugurating the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Haveri on Friday (October 2).
| Photo Credit:
SANJAY RITTI

He recalled Gandhiji’s emphasis on truth, non-violence, cleanliness and self-reliance, and said his ideals remained relevant amid continuing conflicts and threats to global peace. Shastri’s simplicity and his slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” were also highlighted.

Oxford College lecturer Viresh Hittalaman urged people to incorporate the two leaders’ values into their lives. The Haveri programme included interfaith prayers, with readings from the Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, and distribution of prizes to winners of the district-level Bapuji essay competition.

Senior district officials, students and members of the public participated in the celebrations across the three districts. In schools, several students turned up dressing like Gandhiji and delivered speeches.

Residents’ associations held Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in their own ways. While some held all religion prayers, some took up cleaning and at few places the pourakarmikas were felicitated.