Instead of simply remembering great national leaders on a couple of occasions every year, citizens should follow the path shown by such personalities to help India achieve a state of peace, security and egalitarianism.
Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi said this after paying floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries at a function held in the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday.
Qureshi said, "This is an important day for the nation, but instead of simply remembering our great national leaders, we must take the resolve of following in their footsteps.
At a time when man has become the biggest enemy of man in a violence-ridden world, the philosophy of non-violence, Satyagraha, love and peace espoused by Gandhi is the last hope which can help bring about an atmosphere of happiness and peace in the world."
The Governor said that former Prime Minister lal Bahadur Shastri's simplicity and lifestyle has become all the more relevant in the present scenario.
later, artistes from Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Dehradun sang Gandhi's favourite Bhajans. later the Governor also released the 64th TB seal as part of efforts aimed at raising public awareness on tuberculosis. Officials of the Raj Bhawan were also present in the function.
Paying tributes to the national leaders, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that Mahatma Gandhi gave leadership not only to the country, but to the entire world.
The entire nation has taken inspiration from his teachings of truth and non violence, said Bahuguna, adding that lal Bahadur Shatri's simplicity and devotion for the country was exemplary and worth imbibing. Cabinet Minister Yashpal Arya was also present on the occasion. At the State Assembly, the Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal and deputy speaker Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri along with officials and staff, paid tribute to Gandhi and Shastri.
Kunjwal exhorted the gathering to take inspiration from the lives of Gandhi and Shastri while stressing on the need for imbibing the ideas of these leaders. He pointed to the need for ensuring benefit of developmental works to the intended beneficiaries to remove poverty from society.