PM Modi offers 'Kaaryaanjali' to Mahatma Gandhi, remembers Champaran Satyagraha

Launching the Interactive Digital Exhibition to mark the centenary of the Champaran Satyagraha - 'Swachhagraha 'Bapu Ko Karyanjali' - a Mission, an Exhibition,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that citizens of the nation need to recall the lessons of that movement against India's then British colonial rulers, re-energise themselves and belief in a can do spirit that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi encouraged and espoused.

Urging the people of the nation to open their eyes and recapture and relive the rich heritage and pride that India was, Prime Minister Modi said that the most suitable tribute to Mahatma Gandhi would be to take his dreams for an Independent India forward and to greater heights through dedication and hard work.

Describing the centenary of the Champaran Satyagraha as a solemn moment, Modi said Gandhi through his months-long non-cooperation movement in support of a farmers' revolt against forced Indigo cultivation, delivered five themes or principles (Nectars) for the people to follow and which eventually contributed to India gaining independence from the British colonial rulers.

These were (1) Knowledge of Satyagraha or passive political resistance (2) Knowledge of the strength of combined manpower (3) Using cleanliness and education to awaken the masses (4) Improve the lot of women in Indian society and (5) To make or weave one's own clothes

"Gandhi ji was basically a Swachhagrahi and was awakening the thought process of the people of India. Champaran can be described as the place of origin of Swachhta Andolan and Champaran Satyagraha gave a new impetus to the freedom struggle and Gandhi ji accorded equal regard to women," said the Prime Minister at the National Archives of India (NAI) here.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said Champaran Satyagraha catapulted Gandhi Ji to the forefront of India's freedom struggle.

"Along with 'Shraddhaanjali', we should also offer 'Kaaryaanjali' to Mahatma Gandhi", the Prime Minister said.

He added that the Champaran played an important role in the development of Khaadi.

"'Swachh Bharat Mission' is a movement to fulfil the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and is fast becoming a mass movement in our country," he said.

On the occasion he also launched an Online Interactive Quiz "Kaaryaanjali", which will continue for 30 months till October, 2019.

A musical and dance programme based on the banned literature on Mahatma Gandhi and Swachhagraha entitled "Satya, Swachh, Sur" was presented on the occasion.