Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasized the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence while addressing an interfaith prayer meeting at Gandhi Bhavan on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Shri Chouhan said, “The ideals that Gandhiji presented to the world continue to inspire all of us. In today’s turbulent times, it is essential that we imbibe his values in our daily lives.” Highlighting the current global situation, he observed that the world is grappling with war, unrest, violence, and injustice, and even trade has been increasingly weaponised. “Given the darkness around us, one often feels, ‘Bapu, if possible, please come back again,’” he added.
Paying tribute to Gandhi, Shri Chouhan noted that Gandhiji achieved all his initiatives with the support and cooperation of society, and none of his campaigns were hindered by lack of resources. He urged organizations working for social welfare to draw inspiration from Gandhi’s approach and mobilize community support for their efforts. He further emphasized that any organization can function with true impartiality only when it remains independent of government influence.
The programme began with a welcome address by Rajesh Badal, Treasurer of Gandhi Bhavan Trust and senior journalist. The event was also attended by Dayaram Namdev, Secretary of Gandhi Bhavan Trust, veteran Gandhian thinker Shri Raghu Thakur, and eminent writer and journalist Shri Vijayadutt Shridhar.
Shri Chouhan’s remarks underscored the timeless relevance of Gandhiji’s ideals, especially in times of global unrest, calling upon citizens and organizations to uphold truth, non-violence, and social cooperation in their lives.
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