Go beyond 'tokenism' in celebrating Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the nation should celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi "in action" and not through "tokenism" and felt the event should be in the form of a mass movement.

Addressing a 'national committee' meeting chaired by President Ram Nath Kovind to plan the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, he told the gathering that the nation should celebrate the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi next year "in action" and not through "tokenism", leaders and officials present at the event said.

The prime minister was of the view that it is not enough to just pay homage to the leader but the government should ensure that he lives amongst the people, the sources said.

Modi also said that Gandhi's works have to be imbibed in life so that generations to come remember him and the celebration should be in the form of a 'jan andolan' (mass movement).

After the meeting, Modi further said in a series of tweets that Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary is a perfect occasion for us to "reiterate our commitment towards fulfilling Bapu's dreams, through our Karyanjali' (and) we should leave no stone unturned in creating an India that would make Bapu very proud".

In another tweet, Modi said Mahatma Gandhi gave his life for the nation and led a movement due to which our generations can breathe the air of freedom and have the privilege of living in a vibrant democracy.

"We should ensure more and more people across the world know about Bapu's greatness," he said.

The PM said the meeting witnessed wide-scale participation, with eminent leaders, CMs, citizens from various walks of life and people from overseas taking an active part.