Nation pays homage to the Mahatma, marks Satyagraha's centenary

New Delhi, Jan 30 (UNI) The nation today paid homage to Mahatama Gandhi on his 59th death anniversary, with this year also marking the centenary of 'Satyagraha' -- the philosophy of non-violent resistance the Father of the Nation popularised.

President A P J Abdul Kalam paid floral tributes at Rajghat this morning, and was followed by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani. The chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy, Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande and several Union ministers were also present at 'Bapu Samadhi' here to pay homage.

The dignitaries also observed a two-minute silence. Later, bhajans and hymns associated with Gandhiji were also sung on the occasion.

Coinciding with 'Martyrs Day', the centenary celebrations of Satyagrah are also being held here with several world leaders including Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, his counterpart from Slovenia, Janez Drnovsek, and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramagoolam participating in it.

Meanwhile, at the Old Secretariat in Civil Lines Delhi Assembly Speaker Prem Singh and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among those who paid homage to the Mahatma at his 'Dandi March' statue.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation at Gandhi museum in Madurai.

In Andhra Pradesh, Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, his ministerial colleagues and several Congress leaders paid floral tributes to the Mahatma at Bapughat.

In Puducherry, Lt Governor Mukut Mithi, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, his cabinet collegues, Speaker R Radhakrishnan and senior officials of the territorial administration, were among those, who garlanded the Gandhi statue on the Goubert Avenue. The PCC also held a function at the party office to mark the occasion.

People all over West Bengal observed Martyr's Day as well.

Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma, offered floral tributes at the Martyrs' Column at Gandhi Ghat in North 24 Parganas.

Earlier, the governor, along with the state's irrigation and waterways minister Subhas Naskar, attended an all-faith prayer meeting, where renditions from holy scriptures of different religions were done.

In Meghalaya, floral tributes were paid at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi to observe his 59th death anniversary. State Chief Secretary S K Tewari, Director General of Police William Richmond Marbaniang and many senior government officials also garlanded the Gandhi statue at state secretariat compound in Shillong.

However, in Madhya Pradesh, Governor Balram Jakhar pointed out that just a few people had shown up at a meeting to mark the Father of the Nation's death anniversary.

''I hope that Mahatma Gandhi will not be forgotten in the future,'' he said, speaking at the function at the Gandhi Bhavan here. The governor felt that humanity and coexistence seem to on the wane in this era.

Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Kokje paid tributes to the Father of Nation at the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla.

Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha speaker Gangu Ram Musafir and Horticulture Minister Singhi Ram along with other prominent persons also paid tributes to the Father of the Nation.

Patriotic songs and bhajans were also sung on this occasion.

UNI