Human civilisation can be saved by following the tenets espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking at a programme organised at Gandhi Park here on Friday to mark the 100th year of Gandhiji's return to India from South Africa, Chief Minister Harish Rawat exhorted the gathering to imbibe the principles espoused by the Mahatma.
Speaking on the occasion after garlanding a statue of Gandhiji, the Chief Minister said, "Gandhiji was a great hero of the 20th century who linked the poor and the farmers to the Indian struggle for independence. He was instrumental in making the Indian freedom struggle a movement involving members of all social segments, religions, castes and areas. Along with the poor and backward, Gandhiji was able to convince the followers of all religions that they would have Swaraj and their own Government which would work for the upliftment of the poor," said the Chief Minister.
Rawat said that Gandhiji had toured the country after returning from South Africa and had transformed the freedom struggle which was till then limited to the educated class into a movement involving the masses. He stressed that the principles espoused by Gandhiji had gained in relevance in the present global scenario.
Speaking at the programme, the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyaya said that after disembarking at Mumbai on his return to India, Gandhiji had travelled to Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela was being held at Haridwar during that time and on the invitation of Swami Shraddhanand, Gandhiji had spent 15 days in Haridwar. He and his group undertook various service works during their stay here and in his autobiography too Gandhiji wrote about the importance of Uttarakhand, said Upadhyaya.