BHUBANESWAR: From organising seminars on Gandhi ideology in educational institutions to developing Gandhi Circuit, the Naveen Patnaik government has planned two-year long programme to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.A committee headed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday decided to turn the event into a mega affair. The celebration would start on October 2 with a grand meeting at the state capital and culminate on October 2, 2020, official sources said.“Odisha government will be observing the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a befitting manner,” Naveen told reporters after the meeting.As part of the celebration, the state government has planned to identify one Kasturba Adarsh gram panchayat in all 314 blocks where programmes based on Gandhian ideology will be conducted.Initiatives like achieving 100 per cent literacy, ensuring zero school dropout, mutual solution of village disputes, improving sanitation, development of cottage industry and promotion of women self-employment would be taken up in these gram panchayats.Also, statue of Gandhiji will be installed in all district headquarters while a major road in all districts will be named after the father of the nation.As Gandhiji had visited several places across Odisha eight times during his lifetime, the state government would set up a Gandhi Circuit by developing places visited by Gandhiji. Also, a grand meeting will be organized in Cuttack on March 23 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s maiden visit to the state on March 23, 1921.To popularize Gandhian ideology among students and youths, seminars will be organised in schools, colleges and universities. Besides, schools on Gandhian thought will also be set up in various state varsities.A special session of the state assembly is also planned to discuss principles and ideology of Gandhiji.The Eternal Gandhi Peace Centre near Khandagiri jointly developed by the state government and the Aditya Birla Group would come up in January, next year.It would impart knowledge on non-violence. The project involves installation of a life size statue of Mahatma Gandhi with interactive multimedia show relating to the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi, official sources said.The state government has also received suggestions from individual and institutions to include in the itinerary of the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji.While addressing the gathering, Naveen said Mahatma Gandhi always stressed on the principles of truth and non-violence which are most relevance in the present context.“Ahimsa is the key weapon for fighting against the evils of social injustice and poverty,” Naveen said adding the father of the nation was inspired for the Khadi movement after visiting Odisha.The state government has also formed several committees at the state and district level to chalk out programmes. Various departments would also earmark special budget for the purpose.Speaking at the first meeting of the committee for celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 2, Naveen had proposed to amend the Indian Constitution to include ‘Ahimsa’ in the preamble as a mark of tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The state assembly has recently also passed a resolution in this regard.

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