Launch of schemes marks Gandhi Jayanti

NEW DELHI, OCT. 2. Launching of literacy programmes, inter- religious prayer meetings, holding of photographic exhibitions and release of a commemorative stamp marked the 132nd birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, today.

In the capital, the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, the Vice President, Mr. Krishan Kant, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, offered floral tributes to the Mahatma at Rajghat. The Congress president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, the Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, and other Central Ministers were among those who paid tributes.

The U.S. Ambassador to India, Mr. Robert D. Blackwill, and the Pakistan High Commissioner, Qazi Ashraf Jehangir, also visited the Rajghat and paid their respects.

In Ahmedabad, an all-religion prayer meeting was held at the Sabarmati Ashram, the ``Karmabhoomi'' of Mahatma Gandhi. A photographic exhibition on Gandhiji, ``My life is my message'' was inaugurated at the Gandhi Museum of the Ashram. The exhibition, through 250 photographs, portrays Gandhiji's life from his birth to martyrdom.

In Mumbai, the Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, released a commemorative stamp ``Mahatma Gandhi: Man of the Millennium.'' ``This war (with terrorism) can't be fought by weapons alone. A careful blend of Gandhi's thoughts and Lal Bahadur Shastri's actions will help us to effectively deal with the situation prevailing in Kashmir,'' Mr. Mahajan said.

The Andhra Pradesh Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, released bilingual English and Telugu editions of a book of poetry on Mahatma Gandhi. The Chief Minister, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, launched the second phase of the Government-sponsored ``Akshara Sankranti'' (literacy programme) at Vicarabad in Ranga Reddy district.

The Kerala Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, paid floral tributes at the Gandhi statue in the State capital followed by the `world peace' pledge by children.

In Kolkata, the Governor, Mr. Viren J. Shah, paid tributes to Gandhi. The State PWD Minister, Mr. Chowdhury, read selected portions from the writings of Gandhi at a function. The Assam Chief Minister, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, and his Cabinet colleagues placed wreaths and flower petals at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Guwahati. They also attended an all faith prayer meeting.

In Jaipur, the State Government launched a grievance redressal exercise ``Prashashan Gaon Ke Sang'' (Administration Goes to Villages) to solve the problems of villagers at their doorsteps. In Shimla, the Governor, Mr. Suraj Bhan, and the Chief Minister, Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal, paid rich tributes to the Mahatma.

The day also marked the 97th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri. Rich tributes were paid to him on the occasion.

- PTI

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