Gandhian Principles Vital for Humanity: Governor Thakur

Bhopal —  Addressing a prayer meeting organised by the Gandhi Bhawan Trust and Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission in the state capital, Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Friday said the principles and ideals laid down by Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi are relevant not only to India but the entire world.

Several dignitaries, including Governor Thakur, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MPHRC Chairman Justice DM Dharmadhikari, attended the prayer meeting marking the 140th birth anniversary of the Mahatma, at the Gandhi Bhawan here today.

Governor Thakur said that in his quest for truth, Mahatma Gandhi understood the ethos of ‘Satyagraha’ and included it among the ideals necessary for humanity, Thakur recalled attending the Mahatma’s prayer meetings in Kolkata as a youth.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Chouhan warned the civilized society to stop the exploitation of the poor, failing which, he said, non-violence would become redundant and extremist movements like Naxalism would gain strength.

He said the Naxal menace cannot be brought to an end through bullets and laws, but by bringing people into the mainstream by providing equal rights, opportunities and basic facilities to one and all.

Lamenting the irony, Chouhan noted that, though, people recognize Mahatma Gandhi and observe his birth anniversary, they do not follow his ideals.

The prayer meeting was also addressed by Gautam Bajaj of Paramdham Ashram Wardha, established by ‘Acharya’ Vinoba Bhave – a close associate of the Mahatma – in 1938.

Proposing a vote of thanks, Justice Dharmadhikari spoke on the timeless relevance of the Mahatma and his ideals.

Earlier, Governor Thakur and the Chief Minister garlanded a statue of the Mahatma at the Gandhi Bhawan premises and inspected ‘Mahatma Gandhi and his Contemporaries’ – an exhibition presented by the Department of Public Relations and Madhya Pradesh Madhyam.