RONO HILLS, Jan 30: Rajiv Gandhi University today observed the Martyrs’ Day to mark the Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation, and also to pay homage to all martyrs during the freedom struggle including the bravehearts who laid down their lives while defending the borders.
The programme, organized by the international Centre for Gandhian and Peace Studies, Department of History (RGU) and held at the Wall of Heroes at the varsity campus, began with the offering of floral tributes to the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and bravehearts, followed by Bhajans, dear to Mahatma, by the students and faculty members of the Department of Fine Arts and Music and accompanied by spinning of charkha by Reying Lego, a student of the Deptt of History.
Vice Chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha, in a message, offered heartfelt homage to all our great martyrs and extended patriotic greetings to all. As India is celebrating its “Amrit Kaal” as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said, it is natural that our thoughts should turn towards the brave souls who sacrificed all their happiness, comfort and safety for the attainment of independence.
The air of freedom, he added, that we breathe in today was not handed over to us in an easy manner but achieved through untold suffering and sacrifice. Nowhere have the shackles of slavery, he said, been broken without a price. For the freedom of India, the price was paid by all the freedom fighters who dreamt of a free nation where people would be treated as equals and strove hard to achieve their dreams.
Prof S N Sing, Coordinator of the Centre, said that ideas of Mahatma Gandhi were indispensable for a new and vibrant India. Mahatma was not a person and leader but also an idea in the true sense of the term which represents India. It had inspired the freedom fighters then and would continue to inspire generations to come not only in India but also across the globe.
Prof Ashan Riddi (HoD, History), highlighted the role of the people of Arunachal in anti-British struggles and said that their role was at par with the people from the mainland.
Prof P K Panigrahi, VC (in-charge), Dr N T Rikam, Registrar, Prof P K Nayak highlighted various facets of Gandhi’s life and his contributions to world peace and development.