To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Government has proposed a string of activities ranging from a philatelic exhibition on Gandhi Parv, international seminars, plays, exhibitions on Gandhi to “kavi sammelan” and astronomy shows across the country as well as abroad.
A list of 32 activities has been prepared by the Culture Ministry. A senior official of the Ministry said that all the Ministries have been asked to keep their proposals ready for approval from the six sub-committees, consisting of secretaries of Central Ministries, by August-end.
The sub-committees were formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.
The Ministry of Culture, has also planned cycle yatras, a Gandhi-specific tableau on Republic Day, releasing a commemorative coin, a conference on value addition, Gandhi katha among other programmes. The Ministry is also likely to unveil the Gandhi Gram at the Kumbh Mela to be held in Allahabad next year.
The Ministry will also launch an exclusive Gandhi portal, on which all other ministries and sub-committees will list the activities planned by them for the October-March event.
The committee of secretaries will review the plans every quarter. The Railway Ministry has planned to run a special salt rake from Sabarmati on March 12 next year to commemorate Gandhi’s Dandi March.
“Swachhata” trains from Sabarmati will connect various places linked with Gandhi’s life. Tickets with a watermarked image of Gandhi will also be printed. Murals of Gandhi at the administrative offices of the railways, thematic paintings of all the stations connected to Gandhi’s movement and setting up digital museums are also part of the blueprint. A special logo designed by the Ministry of Culture has been proposed to be displayed outside the coaches as well as next to the seat numbers.
Similarly, the Tourism Ministry is planning to activate all its foreign offices to organise activities related to Gandhi in their regions. It also plans to hold functions at the tourist places related to the Father of the Nation, particularly in Gujarat.
While the Sanitation Ministry is planning to award the “Swachhagrahis” (cleanliness volunteers), the Human Resource Development Ministry has proposed a “Padyatra” by 150 youngsters, walking 10 km a day for 150 days.