JAMMU: Saying that Gandhian thought and philosophy must prevail, National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today urged the people to take a pledge to realize the dream of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Gandhiji believed in non-violence, relevance of which is more than ever before in the present day”, Rana said after paying floral tributes to the Mahatma at a function here this morning, adding that there is immense need to understand and practice Gandhian philosophy of truth and non-violence.
The Provincial President said Mahatma Gandhi was a strong believer of communal amity and worked all his life in strengthening it. “The best tribute to him therefore would be to sustain this spirit”, he said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir is known for preserving the glorious traditions of secularism. In this context, he referred to the great role of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in promoting pluralistic ethos of inclusiveness during most testing times of history.
He said Bapu’s unflinching commitment to secularism had inspired Sheikh Sahib to reject Mohammad Ali Jinah’s two nation theory and to tie destiny of Jammu and Kashmir with inclusive and forward looking India, he added.
Rana referred to the peace and tranquility maintained during the horrendous days of partition when the entire subcontinent was engulfed by communal frenzy but Jammu and Kashmir stood tall in maintaining the brotherhood. This had inspired Father of the Nation greatly which prompted him to say that a ray of hope was emanating from Jammu and Kashmir.
Dwelling upon various facets of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Rana said he was the embodiment of peace and sacrifice. He said that such Yugpurush took birth in several centuries and India is blessed to have been abode of the Mahatma. He quoted Albert Einstein having said about Mahatma Gandhi, Generation to come will scarcely believe that such a man as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth”.
Prominent among those present included Surjeet Singh Slathia, Ajay Sadhotra, Th Kashmira Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Ab Gani Teli, Vijay Lochan, Anil Dhar, Ashok Dogra, Rohit Bali, Ch Iftikhar , Tejinder Singh and others
