Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 2nd Octuber, 2008 : To mark the birth anniversary of father of the nation and follower of non voilence Mahatma Gandhi, Department of Gandhian Studies, organized a special lecture on, “The Key to Mahatma Gandhi’s Influence” by renowned historian Professor Devender Swarup at Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University Campus here today.“There was something special in Mahatma Gandhi that eminent persons of different ideologies like, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chander Bose and Maulana Azad were his camp followers. He did not impose his ideas on these leaders and give them full freedom to express their views,” says Prof Swarup.
Professor R.C. Sobti, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, in his presidential address stressed to go to downtrodden of the society because Mahatma Gandhi wanted to wipe out the tears from every eye.Professor J. N. Sharma, Chairman, Department of Gandhian Studies, in his thanks giving address, appealed the audience to follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as it is much needed today in this terrorism affected society. “The only way to counter the terrorism is the Gandhian way and the west countries also admitted it and it is humble duty of every Indian citizen to spread the message of non-violence all across the world,” says Prof. Sharma. “It is the magnitude of Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-violence method that from this year onwards the United Nations has started to celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as International Day of Non-violence,” elaborated Prof. Sharma.
Earlier, a Patriotic Songs and Poems competition and a Fancy Dress competition on freedom struggle was held in the morning session, in which the tiny tots of various schools of Chandigarh participated with much enthusiasm. The winners of fancy dress competition were, (1) Shubham of Govt. Model High School, Sector 25, (2) Guransh Singh Gadhoke of Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, (3) Charu of Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 40, Chandigarh while winners of Patriotic Songs and Poems competition were (1) Akshit of Ankur Nursery School, Sector 14, (2) Yaman of Govt. Model Sr. Sec.School, Sector 35, (3) Preetika Bhasin of St. Kabir School, Sec 26 and Twinkal Sharma of Govt. Model High School, Sector 37, Chandigarh. Organising Secretary of thisompetition Dr. Ashu Pasricha told that such competition enriches the younger generation with patriotic spirit and help them to understand the Mahatma Gandhi in a true sense.