Gandhi Jayanti Latest Updates: Proud to say 1.25 billion Indians embraced path of sanitation showed by Mahatma Gandhi, says PM Modi
As India remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to 'Father of the Nation' by launching the two-year-long celebrations to mark the occasion. The prime minister offered floral tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat in the morning and is attended a series of events related to sanitation and renewable energy.
PM Modi also visited Vijay Ghat to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birth anniversary also falls on October 2.
At the Rashtrapati Bhavan cultural centre, the Prime Minister attended the closing session of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention -- a four-day international conference that has brought together sanitation ministers and other leaders from around the world.
Modi visited a mini digital exhibition at the event, accompanied by the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres. The dignitaries launched commemorative postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi and a CD based on his favourite hymn 'Vaishnav Jan'. The Swachh Bharat Awards were distributed on this occasion.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.
Gandhi Jayanti 2018 celebrations: Highlights
PM Modi addresses the closing ceremony of MGISC at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre | Watch LIVE
12:30 pm: To make the world clean, 4 Ps are necessary - Political leadership, Public funding, Partnerships and People’s participation: PM Modi at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention
12:21 pm: Today, I am proud to say that 1.25 billion Indians have chosen the path shown of sanitation shown by Mahatma Gandhi and has made Swachhta Abhiyan the biggest people-driven campaign: PM Modi
12:20 pm: So many countries coming together for a cleanliness campaign is an unheard of event. I pay tribute to Bapu on everyone's behalf: PM Modi at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention.
11:20 am: Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterre visit an exhibition during Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, at Rashtrapati Bhavan
10:18 am: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
10:25 am: The noble thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have given strength to millions across the world. He was a stalwart who lived for others and to make our world a better place. Paid tributes to Bapu at Rajghat this morning: Narendra Modi
10:20 am: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
08:26 am: Maharashtra: Students of Kalyan Railway School painted a local train for Mahatma Gandhi 's birth anniversary and to create awareness for Swachh Bharat
08:19 am: https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1046955375826628608
07:36 am:
07:33 am:
07:19 am: Rahul Gandhi pays homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Delhi's Rajghat.
07:08 am:
07:00 am: Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti. Let us rededicate ourselves to the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi — peace, fraternity, harmony and inclusive national development. Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light: President Kovind's official handle tweeted.
06:30 am: Mahatma Gandhi guiding light to eradicate poverty: Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, also extended wishes to the entire country. In his message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said Mahatma Gandhi will be the guiding light in India's pursuit to eradicate poverty and achieve rapid social and economic progress.
He said it would be "only befitting" to celebrate this year's Jayanti with welfare programmes pertinent to the life and work of Gandhi, said a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement.
"The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a true tribute to Gandhiji, who espoused cleanliness as an essential element of healthy living," Kovind said. "This Gandhi Jayanti let us all resolve to make our homes, residential areas, cities, villages and our country clean and to spread the message of total sanitation. Mahatma Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all Indians and indeed for all humanity."
06:00 am: Delhi monuments to be illuminated
To celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Delhi government will illuminate three historic monuments here for seven days from Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Monday. Delhi's Department of Archaeology will illuminate Gol Gumbad, Bijri Khan's Tomb and Tomb of Paik between 7 pm and 11 pm. Sisodia said the government will organise a free Sufi concert on October 7 at Gol Gumbad. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi on January 30, 1948.
(With inputs from agencies)
