Gandhi jayanti observed

Barrackpore, Oct 2 (UNI) West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi led the state in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 137th birth anniversary today.

The celebration began at the Gandhighat here where the governor, who is the Mahatma's grandson, and his wife offered floral wreaths.

A traditional prayer meeting was held amidst 'Ramdhun' and patriotic songs. State Irrigation and Waterways Minister Subhas Naskar, Chief Secretary Amit Karan Deb, DIG, police A K Bhora and other dignitaries were also present.

In a deviation from the norm four school children read out selected portions from the writings of Mahatma Gandhi instead of the governor doing so.

The governor praised the South African government for inviting the prime minister there on the occasion of the centenary celebration of ''Satyagraha'' that Gandhiji had launched there against the British.

''Decolonisation means not only political freedom of a nation, but also change in socio-economic status of a country,'' Mr Gandhi said, adding that it was necessary to ensure such changes for the sake of the people.

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