Our Correspondent
Kohima Oct. 2 (EMN): To mark the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a seminar on the ‘thoughts and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi’ was held at Raj Bhavan in Kohima on Oct. 2. Governor PB Acharya hosted the seminar at Durbar Hall with the minister for Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along as the guest of honour.
In his keynote address, Along said it was belittling to think of Gandhi's influence only in the context of India as his greatness and humility go beyond the confines of territorial boundaries and borders.
He also encouraged the youth and students to follow the path of peace and non-violence in their life as discarding these ideals professed by Gandhi would mean reducing Oct. 2 to empty celebration of anniversaries and ‘wasteful indulgence.’
Explaining the term Mahatma, as Gandhi was lovingly called by the people, he said it means ‘a great soul' – revered and regarded with love and respect.
"We need Mahatmas more today in this generation, when outer beauty concerns us more than what we have inside our heart and soul," he said.
The minister also stated that amongst all the freedom fighters in human history, whose bravery cannot be undermined, Mahatma Gandhi stood out from the rest because of his approach through peaceful and non-violent means to reach his milestone.
While stating that the youth were the future of the nation, Along asked them to discard hypocrisy, greed; and learn to overcome their weaknesses and become responsible citizens.
Acharya, while delivering the valedictory address, stated that the importance of Gandhian thought of truth, morality and ethics remain integral to the national consciousness; and has influenced the social and administrative sectors of India in various aspects.
The governor said that the government of India’s initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission – which envisions a clean India by Oct. 2, 2019 coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi and Make in India campaign, aimed at enhancing the manufacturing capacity of India – was a significant part of the Gandhian discourse. He encouraged the students to embrace the life and message of Gandhi and to let it guide their life.
