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Gandhi at 150: PM Modi declares India to be open defecation free

PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram
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Published : Oct 2, 2019, 9:28 AM IST

Updated : Oct 2, 2019, 9:23 PM IST

20:43 October 02

Rural India and its villages have declared themselves 'open defecation free'

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On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared India to be an 'open defecation free' (ODF) country.

"I am satisfied that on the occasion of Gandhi at 150, we are witnessing the fulfilment of his dream of 'Swachh Bharat'. I feel lucky that on this occasion, when India has successfully stopped open defecation, I'm here at the ashram," read the Prime Minister's message in the visitor's book at Sabarmati Ashram

20:21 October 02

PM Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins

Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins
Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

19:47 October 02

PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'

PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'
PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. 

19:19 October 02

PM arrives at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad

Sabarmati riverfront
Sabarmati riverfront

19:17 October 02

PM Modi pays tribute to the Father of the nation

PM Modi pays tribute at Sabarmati Ashram

18:58 October 02

PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi in Ahmedabad

PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi
PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi

18:14 October 02

PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

14:57 October 02

On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free

On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free
On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free

New Delhi: On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) was declared plastic-free from Wednesday, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to shun single-use plastic.

The items banned in the university campus include plastic bottles, cups, glasses, polythene bags and plastic stuff less than 50 microns (in width), plates, cups, and straws. Cutlery and other decorative items made from Styrofoam (thermocol) have also been banned.

Announcing the ban on single-use plastic, Vice-Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar administered the pledge to the staff and students not to use plastic and keep the campus clean.

Meanwhile, an exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi was also opened today in Dr. Zakir Husain Library of the university in which rare letters written by the Father of the Nation in English and Urdu to Dr MA Ansari, one of the founders and Chancellor of JMI, his daughter Zohra Ansari and others associated with the university during its formation days are on display.


 

14:17 October 02

Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat

Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat
Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat

Congress party's 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra', which began earlier on Wednesday, reached Raj Ghat on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. 

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were present at the event. 

The yatra is part of week-long celebrations to mark Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. It began from the Delhi state Congress office Rajiv Bhavan situated in Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and headed to Raj Ghat.

12:51 October 02

HP: ITBP organises cleanliness drive in Kullu

Kullu: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Wednesday carried out Cleanliness Drive here to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Earlier in the day ITBP tweeted, "Cleanliness Drive by second Battalion ITBP in Kullu Himachal Pradesh around Unit Campus, government schools and in Babeli village under Swachh Bharat."

12:47 October 02

Open-defecation free India is big achievement on Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: RS Deputy Chairman

Open-defecation free India is big achievement on Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: RS Deputy Chairman

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on Wednesday said that an open-defecation free India is a big achievement on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

"No one was ready to believe earlier that India will become open-defecation free in such a short period of time. Now, it has become a reality. This is a very big achievement especially on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he told a news agency.

Harivansh also said that cleanliness has a direct relationship with good health and economic development.

12:43 October 02

Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi

Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi
Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and urged people to follow the lead shown by him to become better citizens.

At the event, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also lauded the Swacch Bharat Mission which was launched five years ago and added that all the activities undertaken during the mission were appreciated worldwide.
 

12:30 October 02

CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses

CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses
CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses

Baroda: On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) paid tributes to the Father of the Nation by kicking-off a cycle rally from Gujarat refinery to Sabarmati Ashram, with an aim to propagate Bapu's teachings among masses.

As Gandhi shares a birthday with former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the CISF also paid homage to the latter on his 115th birth anniversary and called him a "visionary leader and icon of simplicity". 

12:08 October 02

Clean-up drive conducted at Versova beach

Clean-up drive conducted at Versova beach

Mumbai: A clean-up drive was conducted at Versova beach on Gandhi Jayanti.

Environmental activist, Afroz Shah said, "Gandhiji's dream of a clean India must be fulfilled, it must be done every week. We must follow his philosophy every day.

11:48 October 02

Rahul Gandhi arrives for Gandhi Sandesh Yatra

Rahul Gandhi arrives for Gandhi Sandesh Yatra

Rahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office for the party's Gandhi Sandesh Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti.

11:39 October 02

BJP chief Amit Shah kicks off BJP's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in Delhi

BJP chief Amit Shah kicks off BJP's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in Delhi

Home Minister Amit Shah takes part in 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra,' in Shalimar Bagh.

Shah during 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' said, "Gandhiji's satyagraha movement brought the British to their knees. He showed the path of truth and non violence to the world."

10:36 October 02

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administers cleanliness oath in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administers cleanliness oath in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered a cleanliness oath to people at an event organised in Delhi Cantonment on Gandhi Jayanti, today.   

10:11 October 02

Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Twitter

"On his 150th Jayanti, my tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Ji, the Father of the Nation, who through his words & deeds, showed us that love for all living beings & nonviolence is the only way to defeat oppression, bigotry & hatred," Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.  

10:08 October 02

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Bapu

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Bapu

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. 

09:46 October 02

President Kovind pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

President Kovind pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 birth anniversary and termed him as the "guiding light' for India whose messages continues to hold relevance not only for India but for the whole world.

"Homage to Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. The 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is an occasion for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the values of truth, non-violence, harmony, morality and simplicity. His message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light," the President's tweet read.

09:32 October 02

India continuously draws inspiration from Gandhi's vision says Vice President Naidu, pays tribute at Rajghat

Vice President Naidu pays tribute at Rajghat

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday recalled the vision of Mahatma Gandhi for a self-reliant, inclusive and harmonious India while paying tribute to Bapu on occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.

Taking to Twitter, Naidu wrote, "India continuously draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's vision: One of the most successful programmes that has been launched is the Swachh Bharat Programme or the clean India Programme which sought to realize one of Gandhiji's precious dreams."

09:23 October 02

PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to both Gandhi and Shastri at Rajghat and Vijay Ghat respectively in New Delhi. 

Modi was received by BJP working President JP Nadda, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal and Minister of State (MoS) independent charge, Hardeep Singh Puri at Raj Ghat.

09:22 October 02

Sonia Gandhi, JP Nadda pay tribute to Bapu

Sonia Gandhi pay tribute to Bapu

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and BJP Working President JP Nadda pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

09:03 October 02

India celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today

New Delhi: With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.

Under this, the BJP is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters.

According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program.

Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.

Earlier, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today.

On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement.

"By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said.

BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi.

On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padyatras" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi.

The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India".

Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country.

To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles.

The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November.

Several photo exhibitions have been organised in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2.

They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release. 

Also read: Nation applauds ETV Bharat's peace initiative on 150th anniversary of Gandhi

20:43 October 02

Rural India and its villages have declared themselves 'open defecation free'

undefined

On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared India to be an 'open defecation free' (ODF) country.

"I am satisfied that on the occasion of Gandhi at 150, we are witnessing the fulfilment of his dream of 'Swachh Bharat'. I feel lucky that on this occasion, when India has successfully stopped open defecation, I'm here at the ashram," read the Prime Minister's message in the visitor's book at Sabarmati Ashram

20:21 October 02

PM Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins

Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins
Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

19:47 October 02

PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'

PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'
PM Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. 

19:19 October 02

PM arrives at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad

Sabarmati riverfront
Sabarmati riverfront

19:17 October 02

PM Modi pays tribute to the Father of the nation

PM Modi pays tribute at Sabarmati Ashram

18:58 October 02

PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi in Ahmedabad

PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi
PM Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Gandhi

18:14 October 02

PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
PM Modi in Ahmedabad to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

14:57 October 02

On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free

On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free
On Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Jamia Millia Islamia goes plastic-free

New Delhi: On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) was declared plastic-free from Wednesday, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to shun single-use plastic.

The items banned in the university campus include plastic bottles, cups, glasses, polythene bags and plastic stuff less than 50 microns (in width), plates, cups, and straws. Cutlery and other decorative items made from Styrofoam (thermocol) have also been banned.

Announcing the ban on single-use plastic, Vice-Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar administered the pledge to the staff and students not to use plastic and keep the campus clean.

Meanwhile, an exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi was also opened today in Dr. Zakir Husain Library of the university in which rare letters written by the Father of the Nation in English and Urdu to Dr MA Ansari, one of the founders and Chancellor of JMI, his daughter Zohra Ansari and others associated with the university during its formation days are on display.


 

14:17 October 02

Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat

Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat
Rahul-led Congress' 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' reaches Raj Ghat

Congress party's 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra', which began earlier on Wednesday, reached Raj Ghat on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. 

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were present at the event. 

The yatra is part of week-long celebrations to mark Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. It began from the Delhi state Congress office Rajiv Bhavan situated in Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and headed to Raj Ghat.

12:51 October 02

HP: ITBP organises cleanliness drive in Kullu

Kullu: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Wednesday carried out Cleanliness Drive here to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Earlier in the day ITBP tweeted, "Cleanliness Drive by second Battalion ITBP in Kullu Himachal Pradesh around Unit Campus, government schools and in Babeli village under Swachh Bharat."

12:47 October 02

Open-defecation free India is big achievement on Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: RS Deputy Chairman

Open-defecation free India is big achievement on Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: RS Deputy Chairman

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on Wednesday said that an open-defecation free India is a big achievement on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

"No one was ready to believe earlier that India will become open-defecation free in such a short period of time. Now, it has become a reality. This is a very big achievement especially on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he told a news agency.

Harivansh also said that cleanliness has a direct relationship with good health and economic development.

12:43 October 02

Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi

Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi
Yogi Adityanath urges people to follow examples set by Mahatma Gandhi

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and urged people to follow the lead shown by him to become better citizens.

At the event, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also lauded the Swacch Bharat Mission which was launched five years ago and added that all the activities undertaken during the mission were appreciated worldwide.
 

12:30 October 02

CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses

CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses
CISF organises cycle rally to spread Gandhi's teachings among masses

Baroda: On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) paid tributes to the Father of the Nation by kicking-off a cycle rally from Gujarat refinery to Sabarmati Ashram, with an aim to propagate Bapu's teachings among masses.

As Gandhi shares a birthday with former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the CISF also paid homage to the latter on his 115th birth anniversary and called him a "visionary leader and icon of simplicity". 

12:08 October 02

Clean-up drive conducted at Versova beach

Clean-up drive conducted at Versova beach

Mumbai: A clean-up drive was conducted at Versova beach on Gandhi Jayanti.

Environmental activist, Afroz Shah said, "Gandhiji's dream of a clean India must be fulfilled, it must be done every week. We must follow his philosophy every day.

11:48 October 02

Rahul Gandhi arrives for Gandhi Sandesh Yatra

Rahul Gandhi arrives for Gandhi Sandesh Yatra

Rahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office for the party's Gandhi Sandesh Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti.

11:39 October 02

BJP chief Amit Shah kicks off BJP's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in Delhi

BJP chief Amit Shah kicks off BJP's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in Delhi

Home Minister Amit Shah takes part in 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra,' in Shalimar Bagh.

Shah during 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' said, "Gandhiji's satyagraha movement brought the British to their knees. He showed the path of truth and non violence to the world."

10:36 October 02

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administers cleanliness oath in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administers cleanliness oath in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered a cleanliness oath to people at an event organised in Delhi Cantonment on Gandhi Jayanti, today.   

10:11 October 02

Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Twitter

"On his 150th Jayanti, my tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Ji, the Father of the Nation, who through his words & deeds, showed us that love for all living beings & nonviolence is the only way to defeat oppression, bigotry & hatred," Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.  

10:08 October 02

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Bapu

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Bapu

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. 

09:46 October 02

President Kovind pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

President Kovind pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 birth anniversary and termed him as the "guiding light' for India whose messages continues to hold relevance not only for India but for the whole world.

"Homage to Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. The 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is an occasion for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the values of truth, non-violence, harmony, morality and simplicity. His message remains relevant for all and he continues to be our guiding light," the President's tweet read.

09:32 October 02

India continuously draws inspiration from Gandhi's vision says Vice President Naidu, pays tribute at Rajghat

Vice President Naidu pays tribute at Rajghat

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday recalled the vision of Mahatma Gandhi for a self-reliant, inclusive and harmonious India while paying tribute to Bapu on occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.

Taking to Twitter, Naidu wrote, "India continuously draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's vision: One of the most successful programmes that has been launched is the Swachh Bharat Programme or the clean India Programme which sought to realize one of Gandhiji's precious dreams."

09:23 October 02

PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to both Gandhi and Shastri at Rajghat and Vijay Ghat respectively in New Delhi. 

Modi was received by BJP working President JP Nadda, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal and Minister of State (MoS) independent charge, Hardeep Singh Puri at Raj Ghat.

09:22 October 02

Sonia Gandhi, JP Nadda pay tribute to Bapu

Sonia Gandhi pay tribute to Bapu

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and BJP Working President JP Nadda pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

09:03 October 02

India celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today

New Delhi: With a number of events lined up across the nation, India will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.

Under this, the BJP is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters.

According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program.

Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he will also visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.

Earlier, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today.

On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement.

"By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency, and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said.

BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi.

On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padyatras" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi.

The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India".

Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country.

To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles.

The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November.

Several photo exhibitions have been organised in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2.

They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release. 

Also read: Nation applauds ETV Bharat's peace initiative on 150th anniversary of Gandhi

Intro:Body:

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/india-celebrates-150th-birth-anniversary-of-mahatma-gandhi-today20191002062841/


Conclusion:
Last Updated : Oct 2, 2019, 9:23 PM IST

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