The 150th birth anniversary of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi would be celebrated at national and international level with all dignity. As part of the preparation for it, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India Raghvendra Singh had extensive interaction with all state chief secretaries and secretaries to culture department on Saturday.
The 150th birth anniversary of Father of Nation would commence from October 2, 2018 and continue for two years. During the period, in all the schools, colleges and university based on Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings quiz competitions, exhibitions, bicycle and foot-march along with other programmes would be organised. Special programmes would be organised at all the places where Mahatma Gandhi has visited or is linked to him.
During the review meeting through video-conferencing, Panchayat and Rural Development department, Government of Chhattisgarh R P Mandal briefing the union cultural secretary said that a meeting chaired by Chief Minister in state has already being held as part of the 150th Birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi. As per the directives in the meeting, state has already commenced the preparations.
Mandal said that during the anniversary celebrations, the villages having more than 5000 population, which is around 171 village Panchayats, ‘Gandhi Oxyzones’ would be made. These zones would have large number of ‘Peepal’ and ‘Neem’ trees. These villages would also be made leprosy free. These panchayats have already been declared as open defecation free. Work plan is being made for solid-liquid waste management. As per the directives of central government, the state is preparing for the programmes at massive level.
Senior culture department officers of Government of India, Chhattisgarh tourism and culture, health department secretary Niharika Barik, school education department secretary Gaurav Dwivedi, higher education department secretary and other officers were present.