ICC revisits Gandhi’s life on his 150th birthday

An exhibition, artwork carried out by school children, stage performances, and national songs marked Gandhi Jayanti Celebration 2018, commemorating the 150th Birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi at Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) on Tuesday evening. Through all these activities, the team at ICC, under the aegis of the Embassy of India to Qatar, highlighted the life-long teachings of Gandhi such as non-violence, cleanliness, taking care of nature, and love for India.In the spacious courtyard of the ICC building, the drawings made by the students of different Indian schools in Qatar were displayed providing a glimpse of Gandhi’s life. The exhibition included drawings and paintings highlighting the simple and peaceful life style of Gandhi. There were stalls set up by the schoolchildren displaying different models and items prepared using recycled material. Through these models, the students showcased how used plastic items can be recycled and re-used. The primary purpose of the artwork was to showcase the lessons and principles of Gandhi concerning cleanliness. The guests and the visitors took keen interest in the models prepared by the students.Further, different cultural stage performances were also presented to underline different aspects of Gandhi’s life. ICC-affiliated organisations, including Maestro Arts, Karnataka Sangha Qatar, North Indian Association and Bhangya Parishad Qatar, performed at the event. The artistes sang different songs to remember the struggle and teachings of non-violence by Gandhi for independence of India from British rule. A stage play depicted different social issues in India and their redressal by following the teachings of the father of the nation. A short video film was also played for the gathering, revisiting the life and struggle of Gandhi.P Kumaran, Ambassador of India, attended the event as the chief guest along with other officials from the embassy. The ambassador laid floral wreath in front of a portrait of Gandhi and paid homage to the leader. On the occasion, he also released special stamps to commemorate the 150th birthday of Gandhi. All the schoolchildren and other participants were given certificates by the ambassador and Milan Arun, ICC President.The programme was well received by the Indian community in Qatar. The community attended the event in large numbers. Prominent guests, on the occasion included, Rajesh Kamble, Co-ordinating Officer of ICC and Counsellor at the Indian Embassy; Hemant Diwedi, First Secretary at Indian Embassy; Devis Edukulathur, ICBF President; K M Varghese, IBPC President; Nilangshu Dey, ISC President; and Hassan Choughle, ICC Advisory Council Chairman. In her welcome address, Milan Arun said, “150 years ago, there was born a leader who showed the world that there are greater references than violence and revenge to get independence. These include non-violence, truth and love. He successfully used the means and contributed significantly to gain independence. ICC is privileged to launch a-year-long celebration to commemorate the 150th birthday of Gandhi.”“While we remember our leader, we need to teach our children about the selfless contributions of Gandhi. Let us get inspired, again and again, and follow the path of Gandhi.”Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador said, “It is wonderful to see this kind of response. The government of India has planned a number of events abroad and also in India through various arms of the government.” He added, “Gandhi was not an ordinary man. His greatest achievement was that he resorted non-violent methods to take on the mightiest imperial power in the world at that time. India was no ordinary colonial possession. We were the crown jewel in the United Kingdom’s imperial possessions at that time.”The ambassador further said that Gandhi made the elite independence movement a mass movement. Gandhi used his non-violent methods first in South Africa against the apartheid powers. The ambassador spoke about the ideas and practices of Gandhi at a great length for the interest of the audience.