On October 2, India will celebrate Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The great freedom fighter, popularly known as the Father of the Nation was born on October 2, 1869, to his parents named Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai in Porbandar, Gujarat. Mahatma Gandhi is admired by the entire world for being one of the history’s most transformative and inspirational figures. Throughout his life in South Africa and India, Bapu was a fearless campaigner securing the rights and dignity of all people, whose constant promotion of non-violence as a tool to win over hearts and minds has forever left his mark. There is a lot to know about the calm and courageous person. Since school textbooks cannot cover every bit of him, Kolkata will organise year-long programmes from October 2, 2018, to introduce the present generation to the ideas and principles of Gandhiji. President Inaugurates gandhi.gov.in Web Portal to Commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Father of The Nation. 

Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly, a retired judge from the Supreme Court, announced this initiative as he believes that people started forgetting Gandhiji’s words and deeds. The celebration committee told PTI that the functions would be organised at the Gandhi Ashram in Barrackpore spreading Bapu’s thoughts and visions. The state schools will have an inter-school essay competition on various topics of Gandhian thoughts and related issues. Interactive sessions will also be organised across West Bengal. October 2 programme will be attended by former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and former governor of West Bengal Justice Shyamal Sen, Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi, Congress leader and opposition leader in West Bengal assembly Abdul Mannan and officiating Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati University Sabujkaali Sen. Dandi March 88th Anniversary: Nation Remembers Mahatma Gandhi's Protest Against the British Salt Tax. 

It is true that today, we are forgetting the values that Mahatma Gandhi taught us. The initiative taken by the committee is a considerable one in which way, students will be engaged with Bapu’s thoughts. His unease at speaking, humility and empathy allowed him to channel the dreams and aspirations of the masses. Gandhiji's wisdom has made him an international icon, and his sayings continue to inspire millions across the globe.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2018 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).