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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR.K.ROSAIAH, GOVERNOR OF TAMIL NADU AT THE  MAHATMA GANDHI JAYANTHI CELEBRATIONS AT GANDHI MANDAPAM, CHENNAI  ON 2.10.2011 AT 5 P.M.

It is a great pleasure in participating in the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations, to distribute the prizes to the students and address this distinguished gathering here today.

Mahatma Gandhiji was one of the greatest men of all times. He had won freedom to India by non-violent means. Let us while celebrating his birthday not only think of what he stood for but also think on teachings like unity, tolerance, non-violence, love and truth. His message and teachings are a source of inspiration for the future generations also.

Sarvodya, satyagraha, ahimsa and truth are the four pillars on which Gandhiji built his edifice of a united India. Ethics, spirituality, morality, equality, tolerance and compassion were his integrating and cementing message which strengthened the bonds of unity. On this day let us pledge to unite to promote peace and mutual affinity.

Gandhiji was the architect of the modern social reforms and an author of spiritual regeneration. He brought a message of hope among the toiling masses and the under privileged. He laid emphasis on the need to conquer our evil tendencies and to strive for truth and non-violence.

We the people of India cherish the memory of Gandhiji. He was a leader of social change. He stood for universal brotherhood, peace and harmony. His non-violent struggle aimed at liberating men and women from violence. He convinced that the message of all religions are one. Gandhiji strove for a free and united India.

Gandhiji said, “I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice: an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony.” Our tribute to Gandhiji will be to relentlessly pursue his ideals, follow them in true spirit and conscience. Non- violence was positive aspect of his struggle. With the weapon of non-violence, non-cooperation, civil disobedience and satyagraha Gandhiji transformed weakness into strength. He revived the spirit of confidence in the Indian masses.

Gandhiji considered patriotism as same as humanity. It was not merely welfare of India but of the world. We need to build in the youth the spirit of patriotism, sincerity and hardwork.

According to Gandhiji, truth implies a readiness to accept mistakes and retrace the steps. To build a healthier society we need to cultivate in the youth, honesty and integrity. Developing self-restraint, self-discipline and inter religious faith is the need of the hour.

Gandhiji’s message was love and unity. We should shed hatred and should leave no room to divisive forces. The best tribute we can pay to Mahatma Gandhiji is to follow his ideals and to strengthen our nation.

The initiatives taken to propagate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhiji through conduct of oratorical competitions among school and college students and in conducting of cultural programmes and exhibitions deserves appreciation.  

I convey my warm felicitations to Thiru C.Ve.Shanmugam, Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Sports & Youth Welfare, Thiru G.Senthamizhan, Hon’ble Minister for Information, Law, Courts and Prisons and to the Officers and Staff of the Information & Education Departments and to the students.

I conclude with the words of Mahatma Gandhiji, “What I am, the world is; What I do, the world does and so it must follow as surely as the night follows the day, that if I want the world to be a just orderly and a wholesome place, so I must too first be a balanced and wholesome being in body, mind and soul.”

My Greetings to all of You.

Jai Hind.

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