Rich tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi Tuesday on the occasion of his 149th birth anniversary at a number of functions held in the Bihar capital which were attended by Governor Lalji Tandon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, among others.
This was followed by a padayatra wherein the Chief Minister and other distinguished persons scaled the perimeter of the sprawling public park on foot after which Kumar spoke about his governments commitment to Gandhian ideals of social reform.
Shortly afterwards, the Chief Minister addressed a function held at Bapu Sabhagar a state of the art auditorium named after the Mahatma where he said a number of measures taken by his government including the ban on liquor and campaigns against dowry and child marriage were inspired by Gandhi.
He also recalled the Champaran Satyagraha and said the agitation undertaken for indigo planters in the remote north Bihar region had transformed Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into the Mahatma.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a six-storied Bapu Tower which would be constructed in Gardanibagh locality at an estimated cost of Rs.84.49 crore, and where various documents, artefacts and memorabilia based on Mahatma Gandhis life would be put on display for the public.
At the same function, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi highlighted Gandhis contribution towards uplift of the Dalits, his struggles for allowing entry of the depressed classes into temples and his efforts towards Hindu-Muslim unity.
Modi also recalled the stiff opposition with which Gandhis social reform measures were met including an incident in the states Arrah town where stones were hurled at him by those miffed over his championing the cause of Dalits.
Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated a cottage named Homage to Mahatma, situated inside the Gandhi Museum nearby. Flanked by top officials, the Chief Minister garlanded a statue of the Mahatma installed inside the cottage besides inspecting pictures of various noted freedom fighters.
The Governor, the Chief Minister and the Deputy CM also took part in a function organized in memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who was born on this date. The function was organized at Shastrinagar Park and was attended by a number of other dignitaries.
A function on the occasion of birth anniversaries of Gandhi and Shastri was also held at Sadaqat Ashram, the state headquarters of the Congress party, which was attended by Working Presidents Kaukab Qadri, Shyam Sundar Singh Dhiraj and Sameer Kumar Singh.
Meanwhile, an online essay competition based on the theme Atal the hero of Kargil war was also launched by former Lok Sabha member from Purnea and BJP leader Uday Singh which was open to all students of Classes X to XII.
According to a release, the contest has been declared open today and candidates could send their entries till October 19 and results will be declared on December 25, the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister who died a few months ago.
The first prize winner will get a cash reward of Rs 50,000 followed by Rs 30,000 for the runner up and Rs 20,000 to the third position holder.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)