Statue unveiling, plogging run add colour to celebrations

 

ITANAGAR, Oct 2: Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in a befitting manner, a life-size statue of the Mahatma was unveiled today here at the Gandhi Udhyan in Niti Vihar jointly by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor urged the people to get inspired by the statue and spread his ideals in every nook and corner of the state. Reminding that the statue is a symbol of sacrifice, he said that Gandhiji’s messages of cleanliness, education for all and healthy lifestyle stand relevant today and will continue to be so in the coming days. Earlier, Governor launched two books titled ‘Swachh Campus’- a manual for Swachhta Ranking of Higher Education Institutions and ‘Jal Shakti Campus and Jal Shakti Gram’- a water conservation action and implementation plan for higher education institutions. The manuals have been compiled by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, GoI.
Governor, along with Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues also participated in a sapling plantation programme.
Meanwhile, a marble bust of the Father of the Nation was also unveiled today in Raj Bhavan’s Gandhi Hall by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in presence of Governor and First Lady of the state Neelam Mishra. Floral tributes were paid amidst playing of Gandhi's favourite bhajan 'Vaishnava Jan to'.
A photo frame of Sabarmati Ashram with Mahatma Gandhi at the charkha (spinning wheel) was also displayed on the wall of the Gandhi Hall. Extending the same values through traditional loin loom weaving, First Lady released a documentary on ‘Loin Looms of Arunachal Pradesh’, produced by Dordarshan Kendra, Itanagar on the occasion. To promote loin loom weaving, she also distributed weaver’s card and yarns to Dopa Pasi, one of the employees of Raj Bhavan, who practises traditional loin loom weaving. 
State Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, senior officers and officials from the Department of Textile and Handicrafts were present on the occasion amongst others.
To set the pace and lead the movement against plastic, Governor, accompanied by the First Lady Neelam Mishra discarded one-time-use plastic bottles and bags in a separate programme along with the staff and officials here at Raj Bhavan today.
The first couple distributed cloth bags, steel tumblers and plates to the staff and appealed them to shun the use of non-biodegradable bottles and bags. First Lady also distributed cloth bags to the new mothers. Reiterating the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor appealed the officials of Raj Bhavan and people of Arunachal Pradesh to discontinue the use of one-time-use plastic items and reminded the need to segregate domestic wastes such as wet waste, dry waste and e-waste in different bins.
Governor added that along with this initiative, shunning the use of gutka will be a befitting tribute to the Father of the Nation on his 150th birth anniversary.  
Also, as a part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, Governor flagged off the ‘Fit India Plugging Run’, the day’s first event from Raj Bhavan. Large numbers of children including students from Sange Lhaden Sports Academy, ITBP jawans and sports enthusiasts participated in the run.
Addressing the event, Governor urged the people of the state to imbibe fitness practices and cleanliness habits and impressed upon the children to emulate good routines and spread the message of Swachh Bharat amongst friends, parents and guardians. Secretary Sports Himanshu Gupta gave the introductory note on the ‘Fit India Plogging Run’ and said that aim of the run is to promote fitness as well as keep environment clean.
First Lady Neelam Mishra, Education Minister Er. Taba Tedir, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, DGP R.P. Upadyaya and Director Sports Tadar Appa were present on the occasion amongst others.  PRO Raj Bhavan

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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