Week-long celebration of Jayanti of Mahatma Gandhi 

Chandigarh, October 3, 2023: The Department of Gandhian & Peace Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a week-long celebration of the Jayanti of Mahatma Gandhi from 25th September, 2023 to 2nd October, 2023. Dr. Seema Malhotra shared that Cleanliness Drive Rally was organized followed by activity of cleaning of the Pool around Gandhi Bhawan and its surroundings on 25th September, 2023 in which more than 150 students, University faculty members and non-teaching staff participated.
 
A Special Lecture titled, “*Ethics in Public Administration- Gandhian Perspective*” was delivered by Dr. Ishika Sharma on 26th September in which she talked about importance of Ethics in Public Administration following Gandhian ideology, how future policy makers can make government policies by following Gandhian principles of transparency, accountability and healthy working environment by maintaining peace and harmony in organizational working.
 
Further an On-The-Spot Painting Competition was organised on 27th September which attracted a huge number of students from different schools of Chandigarh. A poem recitation (patriotic songs) competition was organized on 28th September, which brought in numerous students from the different schools of Chandigarh. On 29th September, a Quiz Competition was conducted by the Students of the Department on the Life of and Work of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bhadur Shastri, in which about 70 teams registered from Colleges of Chandigarh and Panjab University Departments.
 
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Arun Sood, State President (UT), Chandigarh after inaugurating the Philately Exhibition addressed the august gathering. He said Gandhian School of thought will live forever. Gandhi has given peace lesson not only to the us but to the whole world. If we want to see flourishing India, the development of the villages is must. He emphasised that for the success of Swadeshi, to make village self-reliant and self-sufficient we have to provide markets. This was the dream of Gandhi also.
 
Dr. Dayal Partap Singh Randhawa, Senate member of Panjab University delivered a lecture in which he emphasised that we are having oldest civilization and we have to be self-disciplined. At the end he said we all have to adopt the way of life Mahatma Gandhi used to live and have to adopt Gandhian principles in a true sense.
 
Professor Simirt Kahlon, DSW (Women), Panjab University in her keynote address on “Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Present Scenario’, highlighted on the importance of this day by explaining the history of Mahatma Gandhi and said that today there is more need to understand Gandhi as a human being not as a God. She said regarding the promotion of Swadeshi, Gandhi was so powerful by striking at the roots of British Empire by attacking them on their industries. He himself used railways which was laid by Britishers to move all over India to propagate his agenda and used freedom of press extensively for freedom movement. She highlighted Gandhi’s ideas of sustainable development, minimization and limitation of resources to be used.
 
Professor Ronki ram in his presidential remarks highlighted the importance of the truth in the life of everyone. The best way for any movement Satya (truth) + Agraha (adherence to truth) is the best way to lead life. Gandhi made efforts to reawaken Indian Soul to follow the path of non-violence and truth.
 
 The Chairperson, Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies & Honorary Director, Gandhi Bhawan, Dr. Ashu Pasricha emphasised that the values, thoughts and principles espoused by Gandhiji can guide our planet towards a better future.
 
 On this occasion, the Best Mali Award for the year 2023 was awarded to Shri Satya Narain, Panjab University, Chandigarh which included a cash award of Rs. 2100 /-.
 
After the declaration of the results of the On-The-Spot Drawing/Painting competition for schools of Chandigarh cash prizes were awarded to the students who got Ist, IInd and IIIrd positions of Rs. 1000/-, 750/- and 500/- respectively. Two consolation prizes of 250/- each were awarded personally by Chairperson Dr. Ashu Pasricha. The names of the winners are Ojasvi Aggarwal of 8thclass, Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 27-B, Chandigarh; Charvi Singla, 10th Class of Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 27-B, Chandigarh; Third Aadya of 8th Class, Delhi Public School, Sector 40-C, Chandigarh; Consolation Prize to Yash of 8th Class of Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 27-B, Chandigarh and Anuj Sharma of 10th Class of St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, Chandigarh.
 
 Poem Recitation (Patriotic Songs) Competition First prize awarded to Nitin Pandey of 10th class & Ekam Singh of 9th class of KBDAV Secondary Public School, Sector 7, Chandigarh; Second prize to Khushi of class 8th of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Dhanas and Shifali of 10thclass of St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, Chandigarh and Two Consolation Prizes to Saanvi Vats of 9th class of St. Joseph Senior Secondary School, Sector, Sector 44, Chandigarh and Nikhil Guleria of 8th class of Govt Model. For the special performance master Gurtek is being awarded cash prize of Rs 200/- apart from the competition.
 
 Quiz Competition for PU Students and Colleges of Chandigarh first cash prize was awarded to Team Prerna and Harshita – Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh; Second Team Ekam Dhillon and Shruti Pathania – MCM DAV College, Sector 36- Chandigarh and Third prize to Team Manya Luthra and Naina Rana – Institute of Educational Technology and Vocational Education, Panjab University
 
Release of A Journal of Ideas of educational and Social Transformation named as Milestone Education Review special issue of 75 Years of Independence: The Gandhian Perspective, Chief Editor Desh Raj Sirswal and Guest Editors are Dr. Ashu Pasricha and Dr. Krishan Kumar Newsletter The Peace Post edited by Ms. Rythm Brar was also released.
 
 
Sumit, Research Scholar, Department of Defence and National Security, Panjab University, Chandigarh was presented an appreciation certificate for participation and accomplishment in completing Tough Man Chandigarh Half Marathon The City Beautiful’s Green Run of 21.1 Km in 2hrs 10 minutes.
 
Amit Kumar, Punjab Postal Circle of Postal Department was given an appreciation letter for exhibiting the Philately exhibition on Gandhi Jayanti.