Arunachal Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik, CM Pema Khandu pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

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ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) and Chief Minister Pema Khanu paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary on Monday. The governor paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation at the Raj Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, Parnaik called upon the people to imbibe the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, particularly his virtue of simplicity. He said that Gandhi believed in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and advocated for love for all living things.

Parnaik said that Gandhi was a very secular person, honest to the core, and lived a simple life. He was disciplined and always promoted it in all his activities. The governor recalled the contributions of Gandhi to the Indian Independence movement on the occasion and said that his idea of ‘non-violence’ facilitated achieving the country’s freedom. The governor also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. He said that Shastri was known for his honesty and humility throughout his life and his popular slogan, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu celebrated the occasion at Mago, India’s first village towards the Tibet border in Tawang district, along with defence personnel near the border. Sharing a photo in X, Khandu said that he was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Gajaraj Corps, Lt Gen Manish Erry, Lok Sabha MP from the state, Tapir Gao, MLAs Phurpa Tsering and Nyato Dukam, Zila parishad chairperson (ZPC) of Tawang Leki Gombu, and public leaders and officials. Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda also accompanied the chief minister.

Khandu also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation. “Remembering with reverence Father of the Nation on his jayanti. His message of non-violence, peace, justice, and truth remains as relevant today as it was during his time—a timeless path to lasting change. Humble tribute to a great soul!” he added. Arunachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kamlung Mossang, along with Chief Secretary Dharmendra, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi during a programme organised at Gandhi Udyan here. The minister also flagged off a cyclothon for ‘garbage-free India’ which was followed by flagging off a walkathon from Gandhi Udyan to Indira Gandhi Park here.

The programme also witnessed inter-faith prayers by all religions and a cleanliness drive as part of ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’. The state unit of the BJP also observed the occasion at Bank Tinali here, where leaders of the party paid floral tributes to Gandhi. As part of Sewa Pakhwada (service fortnight), a cleanliness drive was organised by the party in various parts of the state capital from September 17, which culminated at Thupten Gatselling Monastery, here.

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