Students and teachers of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School gathered to celebrate the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this morning.
Gandhi played an important role to help India gain freedom by leading non-violent protests against British rule which inspired many other freedom fighters.
While officiating at the celebrations, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran says Gandhi led nationwide campaigns on human rights and justice, working on easing poverty, expanding women's rights and ending untouchability.
Kiran says he was able to motivate India, during a very difficult period by encouraging adoption of simplicity, through very simple means and was able to move entire India to work towards independence.
The Assistant Minister says one needs to have qualities such as forgiveness, compassion, sincerity, contentment and truthfulness.
She says before we practice this outside on others, we have to practice things on ourselves.
Kiran says through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission we will be able to heal from the past wounds and work together with the right mind.
She further says Gandhi's most famous quote is "Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves".
She adds Gandhi's non violence principle can be useful in our daily life by communicating with people around us.
The theme for this year's celebration is "Nurturing the whole person through the head, heart and hands".
