Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi offered rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Smriti on October 2, 2020 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of Non-Violence. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per MHA protocol, only 100 invitees attended the programme and paid their tribute to the Father of the Nation. Secretary Ministry of Culture, Shri Raghavendra Singh; Joint Secretary Ministry of Culture, Smt. Nirupama Kotru; granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and former Vice-Chairperson GSDS, Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee also remembered Gandhiji in their own solemn way. Representatives from various Embassies and High Commissions took part in the programme.
The evening prayer meet began by telecasting a short film by Doordarshan Kendra, which was followed by the telecast of an initiative by DDK and GSDS The Mahatma in Me (Mujh Me Hai Mahatma) wherein almost 200 video entries were received from across the country on people’s understanding of the life, message and philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi on four different categories. The 25-minute documentary featured change ideas from participants of different age groups, young and old besides how they have imbibed the ideals as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi in their daily life.
Inter-faith prayer by leaders from different religious groups such as Buddhism, Christian, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahai, Shabad Kirtan marked the commemorative programme. Led by senior Gandhian Km. Indu Bala, spinners spun on the charkha during the programme. Further, Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF representative on behalf of the United Nations in India read out the message of the UN Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres.