Life, work of Mahatma Gandhi shaping new J&K: LG Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi were shaping new Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the J&K-level function commemorating the 155th birth anniversary celebration of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Raj Bhawan, the LG said, “Life and work of Mahatma is shaping a new J&K today. The world has recently witnessed historic, free, peaceful and fair assembly elections. 1.40 lakh citizens have reiterated their faith in the values of the constitution and have resolved to contribute to the development of beautiful J&K and the country.”

He said that the young generation in J&K now understands the importance of peace and democratic values and today they do not have tools of destruction in their hands but instruments of creation.

“Our youth are determined to follow the path of truth and non-violence and to build a prosperous society,” the LG said.

He also appreciated the School Education Department and students from schools across J&K for their cleanliness endeavours like adopting a local water body, a local park, or a local heritage site to undertake a cleanliness drive twice every month, as a mark of respect to Mahatma Gandhi.

The LG urged the people, especially the youth to identify one place in all the cities and villages and dedicate one day of the month to activities like cleanliness drives and Shramdaan.

He also appealed to all sections of society to take inspiration from Bapu's life and work towards public welfare.

The LG extended felicitations to the people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, he said the leadership, ideals and values of Bapu have inspired the entire country to come together for the cause of independence and build a nation that will make a lasting contribution to peace and progress of the world.

Observing that Mahatma's ideals of truth, non-violence, compassion and kindness present the solutions to all the challenges before the tumultuous world, the LG called upon the people to spread Bapu's vision all over the world to make this planet a peaceful and a better place.

“Bapu dreamed that India would become a ray of hope for humanity and it would be a peaceful, self-reliant and developed nation. The responsibility of fulfilling these dreams rests on 140 crore Indians and the younger generation will have to play a bigger role in this journey,” he said.

Highlighting the transformational work done in the last five years in J&K, the LG said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the empowerment of grassroots democracy and violence-free elections is a testament that Jammu Kashmir is shedding the past and creating a new future.

He felicitated the students who have excelled in various competitions as a part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebration.

The event, organised by the Department of School Education and Department of Higher Education, also marked the closing ceremony of the Swachhata Pakhwada and Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan.

The event featured the enthralling performances of artists and students depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Principal Secretary Department of School Education and Department of Higher Education, Alok Kumar was also present on the occasion.