CM leads Goans in paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Panaji, Oct 2 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat today led the state in paying rich tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 139th birth anniversary celebrations at Old Goa here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kamat said Mahatma Gandhi is a national icon, who led the Indian independence struggle against British Colonial rule. He said Gandhi's vision of ''Gram Swarajya'' was relevant even today, hence the government would work towards it.

Mr Kamat said Gandhi made it possible for ordinary human beings to demonstrate courage, to lay down their lives unresistingly before armed police forces, to refuse to submit to injustice and tyranny, to free themselves from tyrant's foothold and stiffen their spines, to rise above feeling of ill will, spite, hatred and revenge and regard their opponent if not with love, then at least with forbearance.

Mr Kamat also said that in a world seemingly dominated by violence and hatred, Gandhi reincarnated the ancient idea of Ahimsa, as the only way of living in peace. Teachings of Gandhi are very relevant in today's time and world has accepted it, as it observes the ''International Peace Day'' today.

Floral tributes were paid to Gandhiji's statue by the Chief Minister, Shripad Naik MP, MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, Chief Secretary J P Singh, Director General of Police B S Brar and North Goa collector R Mihir Vardhan.

Verses and Prayers were read out from the holy books of all the religions by Maulana Rafiq Ahmed Sahib, Fr Savio Barretto, and Mr Ritesh Paranjape on the occasion.

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