Gandhi remains bright light of hope: Shringla

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday said Mahatma Gandhi remains as bright light of hope for billions of people in the world, reports UNB.

He made the remarks while addressing a function to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the chancery building in the city jointly organised by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and Gandhi Ashram Trust. Journalist and Gandhi Ashram Trust Swadesh Roy also spoke.

The Indian envoy appreciated the leadership of Gandhi for his peaceful and non-violencc approach in the freedom struggle of India.

As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, artistes from over 124 countries have contributed musically to paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi through his favourite bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye, according to Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

On Gandhi Jayanti, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi launched a medley version of the famous bhajan by artistes from over 40 countries, during the closing ceremony of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Conference in the presence of the secretary general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, minister of drinking water and sanitation Uma Bharti and other prominent personalities.

The famous Gujarati hymn was penned by the 15th century poet Narsimha Mehta and was one of the favourite bhajans of Mahatma Gandhi who included it into the roster of prayers routinely sung before his meetings.

All Indian Missions abroad identified a local artiste or group to record the bhajan in the run-up to Gandhi Jayanti.

On Monday, industries minister Amir Hossain Amu highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of peace and non-violence as well as his immense contributions saying his role would ever remain as the source of inspiration for all.

"Mahatma Gandhi was a symbol of humanity," said the minister while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar in the city.

Amu said Mahatma Gandhi's name comes first if anybody talks about world peace. "He remained uncompromising in terms of non-violence ideologies and truth."

Veteran writer Abul Maksud addressed the programme as a special guest. Political secretary at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka Novonita Chakravorty and Society General Secretary Subir Kushari also spoke on the occasion.

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.