Best way to pay tribute to Gandhi is to introspect whether we are following his values: Venkaiah

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Thursday said the best way to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi is to sincerely introspect whether we are following his values and principles.

Speaking at a function to unveil Gandhi's 'Grand Wall Mural' here, he said Gandhi belonged to the nation and not any political party.

"Sometimes we find competition, Gandhi is ours, what do you have to do with him? Gandhiji belonged to the nation, not any political party. If you are a real follower of Mahatma Gandhi, then follow Gandhian ways. Then one can appreciate that you are a real Gandhian," he said.

He also claimed the Congress disregarded Mahatma Gandhi's "advice" to disband the party after independence was attained.

"I would like to remind you of two advices Mahatma Gandhi had given. One was a political advice. I don't want to dwell on that. He said after attainment of freedom disband the Congress.

"The Congress was a platform of all people coming together to fight for the independence of the country. So Gandhiji said you achieved freedom so disband it. They (Congress) disregarded, that is a different matter. I don't want to get into that and I am also not in politics now. So I don't want to get into that," he said.

Naidu called upon the countrymen to adopt an indigenous lifestyle to keep diseases at bay.

"Yoga is for your body, not for (Narendra) Modi. This has to be understood," he said.

According to him, our education system has to be re-oriented with the practical life of Indian people and courses with focus on livelihood opportunities of the masses should also be included in the curriculum.

"Thirdly, we must also have morals and ethics, traditions and culture and heritage and history of the India. This is a must," Naidu said.

Observing that we lost our moorings because of the colonial rule and colonial mindset, he said we must go back to our roots and make our children understand India.

The 150 sq m clay mural is made of 'kulhads' by 150 village potters, who assembled to make it at Morbi in Gujarat the birthplace of Gandhi.