Report

Demand to make Gandhi Smriti a National Monument

NEW DELHI: Gandhi Smriti spacious lawn was packed to capacity at the concluding function of the commemorative Dandi March organized by Freedom Movement Memorial Committee on 6th April, 2005 in Delhi. The meeting was presided over by Shri Shashi Bhushan, President of the Freedom Movement Memorial Committee and a veteran freedom fighter.

Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of I&B and Culture inaugurated the function. He emphasized the need for recapturing Gandhian spirit to face the present challenges. He spoke at length on the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to unite efforts of the people of India to overthrow the colonial rule and ushering in an era of peace and development. He also referred to Einstein and said that Mahatma Gandhi was a unique leader who distinguished himself in the field of service to the humanity at large. He said that the objectives of the UPA Government are to build India of Gandhi's dream.

Shri Ajit Jogi, former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh said that Mahatma Gandhi was more relevant today. His sacrifice reminds us as to how important it is to combat the forces of communalism and fundamentalism who are bent upon destroying our composite culture and are obstructing the pace of development of our country.

Dr. Yoganand Shastri, Minister of Health, Govt. of Delhi, paid rich tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and said that men like Einstein drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. Shri Francis Fanthome, MP said that the United Progressive Alliance Govt. has taken correct initiative in giving due importance to the eradication of illiteracy and poverty among the people. He said that no development was possible without voluntary participation of the people in such programmes.

Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, Vice Chancellor of GGS Indraprastha University, exhorted the people to follow those ideals for which Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his life. It was necessary, he said, to rekindle that spirit which guided the destiny of our country under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle.

Shri Daljit Sen Adel, General secretary, Freedom Movement Memorial Committee, emphasizing the importance of the historic Dandi March, which heralded a new phase of Civil Disobedience Movement against colonial rule, said that communal, fascist and fundamentalist forces, at the behest of the colonial power, opposed our freedom movement and "Salt Satyagrah" was launched by Mahatma Gandhi 75 years ago. He warned that the ideology is still being nursed by the vested interests. He said that Gandhi Smriti which was hallowed by the blood of Mahatma Gandhi could become a national monument as a result of persistent demand made by freedom fighters and an indefinite fast undertaken by Shri Shashi Bhushan in 1969 for the takeover of `Birla House'. This demand was backed by more than 300 MPs and it was due to sagacity of the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi that "Gandhi Balidan Sthal" became a national monument and Gandhi Smriti Trust was founded under her chairmanship. Through "Dandi March" Mahatma Gandhi created mass awakening to accelerate the struggle for freedom based on certain values cherished by the society. The re-enactment of Dandi March to commemorate this historic event which was flagged off by Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi on 12th March from Sabarmati Ashram is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who sacrificed his life for a secular cause and espoused the cause of freedom of all people in the world, each historic event connected with the freedom struggle had its own importance. Gandhi's Dandi March, he said, was in fact a march for peace and social justice. Shri Adel made a stirring appeal for the unity of secular forces to defeat the evil forces of communalism and fundamentalism in the country. He reiterated the commitment of freedom fighters to secularism which was the cherished ideal of our freedom struggle.

A pledge prepared for the occasion by the AICC was administered to the participants by Shri Ramesh Dutta, Dy. Mayor of Delhi.