Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and LK Advani at the meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with the chief ministers of all states today to lay the groundwork for the celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. A national committee has already been formed to oversee the celebrations, which will be held across the country for a year starting October 2, 2019. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and BJP leader LK Advani were also present at the meeting.
Here are the highlights of PM Narendra Modi's meeting with chief ministers:
"More than 80 of the 124 members are currently attending the meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan to discuss ideas for organising different events to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
"This would be a world that would do the Mahatma proud. Let us celebrate his 150th birthday in ways and means that befits the great person that Gandhiji was," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
"The principle of Ahimsa is very relevant in today's world, which is experiencing violence in the form of terrorism and other conflict. In such times the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi can guide our planet towards a better future. The Mahatma continues to be of significance for all of us in all countries. The world needs to incorporate his ideas in the building of a 21st century that is marked by justice and equality, by peace and wisdom, and by the elimination of poverty," President Ram Nath Kovind said.
"When we strive for energy access for the last village and the last home, we invoke Gandhiji. When we build capacities in solar and renewable energy, we invoke Gandhiji. When we battle climate change and promote green, eco-friendly living, we invoke Gandhiji. And what is sustainable development if not an expansion of Gandhiji's simple mantra: 'The earth has enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed'", President Ram Nath Kovind said.
"When we work for an India free of caste and religious prejudice, we invoke Gandhiji. When we strive towards Swacch Bharat, and a cleaner and more hygienic India, we invoke Gandhiji. When we speak of the rights of women and children and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, we invoke Gandhiji. When we talk of the health and well-being of the Indian farmer and the Indian village, we invoke Gandhiji," President Ram Nath Kovind said.
"Mahatma Gandhi was India's conscience keeper. He strived to lead us to not just political independence -- but to a better India, a more principled India and a society free of caste, religious, economic and even gender prejudice... The Mahatma is our past, he is our present and he is also our future. So many of the themes and ideas he spoke and wrote of -- some of them far ahead of their time -- are even more relevant today," President Ram Nath Kovind said.
The first meeting of the national committee for commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi calls for celebrations with tangible, actionable legacies that will make a difference to the lives of ordinary people, wherever they may be, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind greets people at the first meeting of the national committee for commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attends the meeting of the national committee for commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
"Mahatma Gandhi was a multifaceted person. He was a nationalist and an internationalist; a political leader and a spiritual mentor; a writer and thinker and an activist; a person comfortable with Indian traditions, and yet an eager revolutionary for social change," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
"Mahatma Gandhi was born in India but he does not belong to India alone. He remains one of India's greatest gifts to humankind and his name finds resonance across the continents," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind chairs the first meeting of National Implementation Committee for Commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also present at the event, along with ministers, chief ministers and opposition leaders.