TEAM HERALD
OLD GOA: Underlining the importance that Gandhi had accorded to work and cleanliness, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday stated that these two principles could resolve a number of issues in the State.
Parrikar was speaking at the state function at Gandhi Chowk, Old Goa, on the occasion of 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. North Goa MP Shripad Naik, Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, former power minister Nirmala Sawant, government staff, former Old Goa sarpanch Vishal Volvoikar and others were present for the function.
“I would also like to tell the children to follow two things of Gandhiji, that ‘work is god’ and ‘cleanliness takes one to god’. Everyone has to take care of personal hygiene and social hygiene, where one needs to keep their surrounding clean. If these ideas of Gandhiji are followed, then we are following the principles of father of the nation,” added Parrikar.
Speaking further, Parrikar said Gandhi Jayanti is a day which needs to be remembered in everyone’s life to follow good principles of love and affection towards the nation. “It will help us to ease a lot of problems in our day-to-day life, especially the garbage problem and also to use the weapon of non-violence for a good purpose,” he added.
Later, the dignitaries garlanded the statue at the Gandhi Circle. Prayers were recited by a pundit, Maulana and a priest on the occasion.
Elsewhere in the State, former chief minister Ravi Naik on Wednesday stressed on the need to keep ‘Gandhian ideology’ alive and urged the State government and organisations to work in that direction.
Naik was speaking on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti commemorated by Ponda Block Congress Committee at Ponda. Naik along with various other Congress members from Ponda taluka paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
“Today as we pay respect to the father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi, I urge the State government, citizens, NGOs and various other organisations to reach out to more and more people, especially youth to inculcate the Gandhian ideology in them,” stated Naik.
“Gandhiji, who believed in ahimsa, played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and is an inspiration to many. We must follow Gandhian ideology and I urge the State government to work in that direction. NGOs and various other organisations must also work to propagate Gandhian ideology,” added Naik.
Raising concern over the present scenario in the country, Naik said: “People are being divided in the name of religion and caste by people with vested interest. People need to think and drive such malicious forces away. We must stay united.”
