Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi pays tribute to Gandhiji

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Oct 1: ‘Gandhian philosophy and thoughts are relevant even today,” said Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi at a function held on the eve of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Bhavan here on Monday.

While remembering the contributions of Gandhiji, Prof Mukhi said that Mahatma Gandhi was the personality who led a successful nonviolent movement to free India from British colonial rule. While he inspired his countrymen to unite against a foreign power that had dominated them for 190 years, he also waged a heroic and tireless battle on the home front to give swaraj to the people of the country. He fought hard to rid Indian society of the age-old and deep-rooted prejudice against the untouchability, the Governor said.

Gandhi called untouchability a crime, an evil, a blot on the name of Hinduism. He sincerely believed that the curse of oppressive British rule was a just punishment for the sin of untouchability that high-caste Hindus had shamelessly practiced for many centuries, the Governor retorted.

The Governor also observed that Gandhiji condemned alcoholism and all its manifestations. Gandhiji declared that indiscriminate drinking was a dire threat to the very existence of the society. Professing Mahatma Gandhi’s mantra that ‘Cleanliness is Godliness’ Prof. Mukhi said that Gandhiji demonstrated, propagated and insisted on cleanliness for individual and community as a whole throughout his life.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his speech said that following the footprints of Gandhiji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Swachhata which has now become every individual’s job to keep his surrounding clean. He also said that 24 lakh latrines have been constructed in the state. The Student community has also shown significant desire to support the movement of Swachhata, Sonowal added.

Vice-Chancellor of Down Town University Prof Amarjyoti Choudhury while delivering his key note address gave an introduction of Gandhiji’s philosophy and his distinct ideologies for the welfare of mankind. The first lady of Assam Prem Mukhi, Minister of State for Power, Topon Gogoi, MPs, MLAs, Padmashree Hem Bharali, freedom fighter Jatin Goswami, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar, former Chief Secretary TY Das, AXX president Paramananda Rajbongshi and others also attended the function, a communiqué said.