Portugal announces Gandhi Citizenship Education Prizeinspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and quotes The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind chaired the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Participants of the meeting included members of the National Committee including the Vice President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu; members of the Union Cabinet; Chief Ministers of various states; noted Gandhians among others.Prime Minister of Portugal HE Mr. Antonio Cost a, the only foreign Prime Minister to be a member of the Committee, also participated in the meeting.

The Committee was constituted for commemorating the 150thbirth anniversary of the Father of the Nation at the national and internationallevel to propagate Mahatma’s message. The Commemoration has been undertakentaken for two years ie. from October 2, 2018 to October 2, 2020.

In his introductory remarks, the Union Home Minister, ShriAmit Shah gave an outline of the key activities taken up within the country aswell as abroad as part of commemoration of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi. He saidthat the programmes which have been taken up have highlighted the ideals,philosophy and life of Mahatma Gandhi.He further added that it is beingcelebrated not merely as a government programme but has taken the shape of aJan-Andolan involving people across the country and the globe. The HomeMinister invited further valuable suggestions which will become the guidinglight of the programme in the future.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it is amatter of happiness for all of us that during the last year and a half, themessages of the Mahatma have reached ordinary people all across the country andthe world under the guidance of the National Committee.

The President said that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modihas converted Gandhiji’s agenda of cleanliness into a people’s movement. Due tothis wide spread popular participation, Gandhiji’s dream of a clean India isgetting realized in a short span of less than five years. The success in the directionof making the country ‘Open Defecation Free’ is a great collective achievement.Over the past few months, there has been massive increase in awareness aboutthe impact of single-use plastic on our environment. The enthusiasm of theyouth about the various programmes related to Gandhi Jayanti reassures us thatthe Gandhian legacy is secure with our future generations.

The President said that if the humankind is going to succeedin meeting the critical contemporary challenges, it cannot be without thisGandhian attitude – towards other people, towards flora and fauna, and towardsthe earth. Today, there is global reverence for Gandhiji because the world isrealizing that his vision of peace and equality, and his method of non-violenceare even more relevant today.While addressing the esteemed gathering, the PrimeMinister Shri Narendra Modi acknowledged the suggestions of the members flowingfrom the first meeting in helping to create a commemorative program thatharnesses the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi for Jan Bhagidaari. The Prime Ministersaid that the world today is eager to know Gandhi and ready to accept him.Hence it becomes India’s responsibility to keep reminding the world of theabiding relevance of Mahatma and his vision.He appreciated the contribution ofthe Portuguese Prime Minster for his work along Gandhian principles so much sothat he became popular as the ‘Gandhi of Lisbon’.

Shri Narendra Modi further stated that while governmentcommemorations of centenaries are held from time to time, the ‘Gandhi@150’commemorations have become far more than just an occasion. They have become aprogram of the Jan Samanya and a matter of pride for every Indian.

The Prime Minister reiterated his earlier message from theRed Fort for all citizens to ‘buy local’. This basic philosophy of Gandhi jifor upliftment has the potential to help India develop and progress. He urgedall citizens to popularise this as a movement so that it becomes widespread by2022, when the country celebrates 75 years of Independence and even thereafteras a way of life.

Prime Minister mentioned that it was a matter of pride forthe country when, during the recently concluded 250th session of the RajyaSabha, members were encouraged and came forward to speak in their local languages.He stated that even as we work to take Gandhi ji’s message global, we must worktogether to keep the Mahatma’s message relevant in a contemporary form for thecommon man across the country.

The Prime Minister mentioned how Mahatma Gandhi believedthat by discharging one’s duties towards the nation and each other faithfully,a human being automatically ensures that the fundamental rights of others aresecured. He concluded by stating that if everyone walks on this path andfaithfully discharges their duties diligently, India’s dreams will befulfilled.

In his address, the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr. AntonioCosta said that it is a matter of great honour for him to be the only foreignPrime Minister in the National Committee for commemoration of 150 years ofGandhi. Gandhi’s message of tolerance and love was revolutionary in his time,and in many parts of the world it is still revolutionary today, he said.Appreciating the article of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in New YorkTimes ‘Why India and the World need Gandhi’, Shri Costa said that there aremany reasons why the world needs Gandhi today. Gandhi’s legacy continues toguide common efforts designed to combat discrimination and promote cultural andreligious tolerance, coexistence among communities, peace among peoples andrespect for nature, Shri Costa explained. The Portuguese Prime Ministerannounced that in order to help perpetuate Gandhi’s ideals, Portugal will belaunching a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize, each year inspired by hisdifferent thoughts and quotes. The first edition of this prize will bededicated to animal welfare as Gandhi said, “the greatness of a nation can bejudged by the way its animals are treated.”

The Committee members appreciated the relentless efforts ofthe government in taking Gandhian values and principles both to the people andthrough the people in a contemporary idiom. Several committee members gaveadditional suggestions to make Mahatma Gandhi more relevant for the youthlikepopularising his thoughts and life through school curriculum in aninteresting style and throughtechnology like artificial intelligence,introducing specialized courses on sanitation and waste management in highereducation, making literature of Gandhi and on Gandhi available through digitalplatform among others.

The Prime Minister also released and presented to thePresident a book on Commemorative Activities compiled by Ministry of Cultureand an Anthology on Gandhi compiled by Ministry of External Affairs. In theanthology, 126 persons of eminence from across the world have written on theirexperiences with Gandhiji’s teachings. A short film on commemorative activitiesunder taken as part of the global celebrations of ‘Gandhi@150’ was also shownduring the meeting.

The National Committee has a total of 125 members, including116 from India and encompasses the President (as chair), the Vice-President,Prime Minister, Union Ministers, former Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers,senior MPs and political leaders from across party lines, and eminentGandhians, social thinkers and activists representing a cross-section of Indiansociety and regional diversity. The Committee also has nine internationalmembers, including two former Secretaries General of the United Nations – MrKofi Annan and Mr Ban Ki-moon.