Governor Dr SC Jamir, Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik led the State in paying homage to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.
In a prayer meeting held before the statue of Gandhi on the Assembly premises the dignitaries paid floral tribute to Gandhiji. Speaker Niranjan Pujari administered the Gandhi Jayanti pledge to all present on the occasion.
The Pradesh Congress Committee observed the birth anniversary of Gandhi and former Prime Minister lal Bahadur Shastri by offering floral tribute to their portraits at the State party office.
The Samajwadi Party State committee also paid rich tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Party workers led by its State president Rabi Behera went to the Mahatma Gandhi Park and garlanded the statue.
Speaking on the occasion, Behera said Gandhi’s ideal of non-violence was emulated by the entire world today.
“The UNO is observing Gandhiji’s birthday as the International Non-violence Day. While fundamentalism and poverty has threatened Indian democracy, the youths of the country must come forward to embrace Gandhisim. This will be greatest tribute to Gandhiji,” said Behera.
The Gandhi Jayanti was also observed at the Odisha State Khadi and Village Industries Board where a discourse of Gandhi and padayatra was conducted.