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Journalism of Courage
Criticising the Modi Government and its policies, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who is in charge of the party’s Maharashtra affairs, said on Thursday that Mahatma Gandhi espoused the cause of a ‘welfare state’ which the incumbent government has forgotten.
“Mera Jeevan, Mera Sandesh… Bapu’s concept of the ideal life was in this mission statement. Behind this were hidden the five principles of truth, non-violence, humanity, justice and equality and the ‘values of democracy’ behind Indian Independence. Through this mission, Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned the concept of a welfare state but today’s rulers have forgotten about it. The rulers are misleading people by raising the pitch for Ram Rajya when the welfare state or Ram Rajya already existed in the country,” Chennithala said.
Chennithala was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Mala Samajlele Babu contest in the city where he distributed the prizes. The contest was organised by Rajiv Gandhi Smarak Samiti and Pune City Secondary and Higher Secondary School Principals’ Association for students from Class 8 to Class 10.
Addressing the gathering, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole said, “The Gandhian ideology is not compulsion but is strength. Reading the essays of the winning students showed how effectively Gandhian thought has been ingrained in the students”.
Patole thanked the Rajiv Gandhi Samarak Samiti and the teachers for organising the essay competition.
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat also praised the students for writing the essay on Mahatma Gandhi. “A Class 9 student writes that the title Rashtrapita was bestowed on Mahatma Gandhi by Subhash Chandra Bose only shows that there was no dispute between them and is a befitting reply to those raking the issue of their differences,” said Patole.
On the occasion, Smarak Samiti president Gopal Tiwari and Association president Sujit Jagtap felicitated the dignitaries.
In his address, Gopal Tiwari said the essay on Mahatma Gandhi inspired students about India’s freedom struggle and patriotism. “The essay competition gave the students an opportunity to ponder over the way our freedom fighters fought for the country’s independence, the sacrifices they made, and the lives laid down… Several schools gave an overwhelming response to the competition,” he said.
