The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant led the people of the State to pay homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the 153rd Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti by offering floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Chowk, Old Goa today.
Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, Shri Shripad Y. Naik; MLA of Cumbharjua, Shri Rajesh Faldessai; MLA of Santa Cruz, Shri Rodalfo Fernandes; Sarpanch of Village Panchayat, Se Old Goa, Smt. Sandra Gonsalves and others also paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that all efforts are underway to undertake development through the central and State governments. Taking the inspirational thoughts of cleanliness from Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modji launched the mission of Swatch Bharat and the entire nation participated in this mission. The Swayampurna Goa mission, which provides for the people-oriented governance, was launched by the government in October 2020. The government is making every effort to turn Goa into Swayampurna, and I am confident the day is not far to achieve, CM added.
The Chief Minister said, Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed everything to win India’s independence. His numerous agitations against British rule in India, including the non-cooperation movement, dandi yatra, Salt March, Quit India Campaign, civil disobedience campaign, etc., not only helped to make India Independent but also propelled him to a position of leadership throughout the world. This is a result of his self-assurance and tenacity, he remarked.
The Chief Minister further said that, in addition to his contribution to freedom struggle Mahatma Gandhi also raised concerns about societal issues including social injustice and malpractice. He always emphasised the need for the social, political, and fundamental advancement of society from the perspective of self-reliance and brotherhood. He advocated non-violence to usher social and political changes that were national in nature, the CM added.
On the occasion, religious leaders, Shri Uday Paranjape, Fr Patricio Fernandes and Hazarat Maulana Mobinnuddin Rafik recited verses from the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran for which the Chief Minister said that, all the knowledge from Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran demonstrates that humanity is the best religion. Mahatma Gandhi led the world with his good deeds from eternity the Chief Minister observed.
The Chief Minister motivated student saying that, the world needs more people like you who can change the world in a better way. We can’t expect others to bring the change but need to shoulder it as our responsibilities. He apprised students about the significance of adopting Gandhian principles in our daily life to spread his message of endurance, peace and harmony.
Kala Academy choir group sang bhajans on the occasion. Sarpanch of Se Old Goa, Smt. Sandra Gonsalves welcomed while Shri Pradip Naik compered the function.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, Shri Shripad Y. Naik, MLA of Cumbharjua, Shri Rajesh Faldessai, Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Se Old Goa, Smt. Sandra Gonsalves and others later paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister of India, late Lal Bahadur Shastri, at the panchayat premises of Se Old Goa Village Panchayat on his 118th birth anniversary.
