Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, led the nation in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 140th birth anniversary at his memorial "Raj Ghat" here on Friday.Besides the Prime Minister, a host of political and social leaders including new US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer offered floral tribute at Gandhi's memorial.

Ansari, Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition L K Advani were among the prominent persons who offered floral tributes at Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, here this morning.External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Defence Minister A K Antony, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Ministers of State Shashi Tharoor and Krishna Tirath were among others who came to the memorial to offer their respects.

A special function will take place at Gandhi Smriti this afternoon, which will include a recital of some of Gandhi's favourite devotional songs. The Union Government has planned a series of other programmes for the occasion.

Dr. Manmohan Singh will also inaugurate a National Convention on Panchayati Raj.State Panchayati Raj Ministers, elected representatives of Panchayats will participate in the convention, which will also be addressed by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj in the country.

The Gram Nayalaya Act also comes into force from today. The Act paves the way for setting the up of over 5,000 Gram Nayalayas at the grassroots level for the purpose of providing justice to citizens at their door step.

The Gram Nayalaya will be of the level of a first class judicial magistrate court and will exercise the powers of both criminal and civil courts. The court will be mobile and move from village to village to dispose off cases.

The Father of Our Nation born on Oct. 2, 1869,is credited as modern history's foremost proponent of nonviolence and mass civil disobedience, would have been 140 on Friday.Born in the 19th century, Gandhi was a 20th century spiritual pioneer credited with inspiring many similar individuals and movements around the world, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the American civil rights pioneer, who was also assassinated.Unlike some others who accomplished far less in more modern times, Gandhi never won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Strolling in his garden, Gandhi was assassinated on Jan. 30, 1948, by a fellow Hindu, who was later executed with an accomplice. In a nationwide radio address the day of Gandhi's death, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said:
During his lifetime, Gandhi had dedicated the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for the uplift of the downtrodden classes in Indian society.Most of Gandhi's decision-making in the early years of the freedom movement was done within the peaceful confines of Sabarmati Ashram.

His message of non-violence, uprightness and care for leprosy patients is still taught in most schools.Gandhi was a strong advocate against caste discrimination in Indian society.

As the world celebrates International Day of non-violence, US President Barack Obama on Thursday said America has its "roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi."

On behalf of the American people, Obama said he wants to express appreciation for the life and lessons of Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his birth.U.S. joins the Indian people in celebrating a man who dedicated his life to the causes of justice, tolerance and creating change through nonviolent resistance.

As the world remembers the Mahatma on his birthday, Obama said: "We must renew our commitment to live his ideals and to celebrate the dignity of all human beings.

Statement by President Obama on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary


Last month Obama had said that if given a chance he would love to have dinner with Mahatma Gandhi.

"Dinner with anyone dead or alive? Well, you know, dead or alive, that's a pretty big list," Obama responded amidst laughter. The next moment he was serious. "You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine,"

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Father of the Nation and the Face of the Indian independence movement,Mahatma Gandhi replaces the letter "G" in Google's home page.He joins an elite band including Michael Jackson, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and Confucius by appearing on the 'Google Doodle'.

Born on October 2 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is celebrated for his ideas on non violent passive resistance.As well as being celebrated in India as a national holiday known as "Gandhi Jayanti" – October 2 is marked around the world as International day of Non Violence.

He is known around the world as the "Mahatma" from the Sanskrit word meaning "Great Soul".

In a tribute to mark the anniversary, Barack Obama praised Gandhi for his influence on modern America through his influence on figures including Martin Luther King the civil rights leader.

The 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing of 1969, and the 50th of James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery of the shape of DNA, are among other events recently marked by Google's doodle designer Dennis Hwang.

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Let's work on Gandhi's birthday, tweets Tharoor

Finally, a tweet from minister of state Shashi Tharoor that many Indians can agree on: Let's find a better way to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation than taking the day off.

The first sally was at the speech he made for the Hunger Project, saying that given Gandhiji's belief in work being worship, he found it ironical that the country should be holidaying on his birthday.

Tweeting just afterwards, he packed the same wisdom in his 140-character posting on Twitter. It's a workman-like sentiment that can't be faulted. In fact, Gandhiji himself would have approved whole-heartedly that his birthday should remain a tribute to his values and not degenerate into another hollow symbolism.

Tharoor, who at least in the past month has opened his mouth only to change feet on Twitter, can finally find grudging supporters even within his party. Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, "I don't think the comment is meant in any negative or critical manner. Different people are entitled to have different views on the subject.Commemoration of national icons can be done in different ways so long as it is respectful and appropriate."

Another spokesperson, Shakeel Ahmed did not agree with Tharoor's take but did not fault him for expressing his opinion. "It may be his personal view. The holiday on the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation is for the nation to rededicate to his ideals and principles," he said.

In fact, Tharoor began his tweet on Friday morning, from Rajghat. "Gandhiji's 140th birth anniversary. Unusually sunny and bright: metaphor for light he still shines," he said.

Supporting his contention, Tharoor continued

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knoughtyd's Signature:

lol Tharoor is hell bent on tweeting his way out of the cabinet

Ofcourse what he said is right but which person in India will support one less gazzetted holiday . He is certainly not making the right case for a promotion to the top job in foreign ministry.

Btw how ironic that at a time Obama and world leaders are openly embracing Gandhiji, our Indian politicos don't even think about him much less mention him as their idol. Other than ofcourse on October 2 which am sure is something they don't even wish to do but they have to because of 'old custom'.
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and this love towards Gandhiji evokes only on October 2nd Ask him today about Gandhiji and he wont know a word on him

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