Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district administration and Zilla Panchayat jointly observed Gandhi Jayanti at Rajaji Park in Mangaluru on Friday, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and recalling his values of respect, dignity and peaceful public life.
The programme began with tributes to Gandhi by garlanding his statue with khadi and offering floral tributes.
Manjunath Bhandary recalls Gandhi’s values
Legislative Council member Manjunath Bhandary, speaking at the programme, said Gandhi’s life itself remained an example for others.
He said Gandhi was known not only for expressing his own views but also for listening respectfully to others and treating every individual with dignity.
According to Bhandary, these qualities played an important role in Gandhi’s emergence as a leader of India’s freedom struggle.
Karnataka Minimum Wages Advisory Board chairman T.M. Shaheed, Eco-Tourism Board chairperson Shalet Pinto and Ganiga Development Corporation chairman Vishwas Kumar Das also addressed the gathering.
All-faith prayer and bhajans held
The programme featured an all-faith prayer, followed by renditions of some of Gandhi’s favourite bhajans, including Raghupati Raghav Rajaram and Vaishnava Janato.
Special editions brought out by the Information Department to mark Gandhi Jayanti were also released during the event.
The programme was attended by officials from various government departments, students from schools and colleges and members of the public.
Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Superintendent of Police Arun K., Assistant Commissioner Meenakshi Arya, Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey, DCP Sam Varghese and DDPI Shashidhar.
Bharat Seva Dal leaders Basheer Baikampady and T.K. Sudheer, among others, also attended.
Bapuji essay competition winners honoured
As part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, the Department of Information and Public Relations had organised a district-level Bapuji essay competition for students.
The competition was held for students from high schools, pre-university colleges and undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Prizes and certificates were presented to the students who emerged as winners. The dignitaries congratulated the winners and wished them success in their academic and future pursuits.
District Information Officer Khader Shah welcomed the gathering, while Saiduddin compered the programme.
The annual Gandhi Jayanti observance brought together district officials, elected representatives, students and members of the public to commemorate Gandhi and highlight the values associated with his life and public service.