Gandhian ideology remains guiding light for world, says Telangana Dy CM Bhatti Vikramarka
Hyderabad, Oct 2 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth, non-violence, Satyagraha, equality and social justice continued to serve as a guiding light for the world.
Addressing a Gandhi Jayanti programme organised jointly by the Gandhi Global Family and the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) at LB Stadium here, he called for building a society free from inequality, discrimination and social humiliation by following Gandhi’s principles.
Bhatti Vikramarka expressed concern over what he described as attempts to promote the ideology of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Gandhi.
He called upon people to reject efforts to glorify Godse and uphold the values and principles espoused by the Father of the Nation.
He alleged that some BJP leaders who had no association with Gandhi’s role in the freedom struggle were attempting to distort history by undermining his contribution to the independence movement.
Recalling Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa, the Deputy Chief Minister said the incident in which he was forced off a train at Pietermaritzburg despite holding a first-class ticket became a turning point in his life and strengthened his resolve to fight racial discrimination.
After returning to India, Gandhi championed the causes of farmers, the poor and oppressed sections through movements such as the Champaran and Dandi Satyagrahas, bringing the concerns of ordinary people to the forefront of the freedom struggle, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the Telangana government was pursuing people-centric governance inspired by Gandhi’s ideals, with a focus on equal opportunities, education and social dignity.
As part of this vision, the government was establishing Young India Integrated Residential Schools to provide students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, minorities and other communities an opportunity to study together without discrimination based on caste, religion or social background.
The government aimed to establish more than 100 such schools across Telangana. Each school would be developed on around 25 acres with international-standard infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, he said.
Bringing students from diverse social backgrounds together in a common educational environment would help strengthen social equality and harmony, he added.
Bhatti Vikramarka also recalled Gandhi’s efforts to fight untouchability, promote Hindu-Muslim unity and bring disadvantaged sections into the mainstream.
He said the contributions of Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and other national leaders had laid the foundation for India’s progress in science and technology, as well as the Green, White and Blue Revolutions.
Children dressed as Gandhi welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister at the LB Stadium programme. He also visited various stalls set up on the occasion.
Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and representatives of the Gandhi Global Family attended the event.
Earlier, Bhatti Vikramarka participated in Gandhi Jayanti celebrations organised by the TPCC at Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally, where he paid floral tributes to Gandhi’s statue.
Speaking at the event, he said Gandhi’s message of truth, non-violence and peace remained relevant to contemporary society and urged people to work towards realising his ideals.
TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and Gaddam Vivekananda Swamy were among those present.
TNT TS
