Udaipur: The Directorate of Student Welfare at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur, observed the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri with reverence and respect on Friday.
The programme began with floral tributes and garlanding of portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Dr. Vikramaditya Dave, Student Welfare Officer, said this year’s observance focused on the spirit of “Swachhata Hi Seva” (cleanliness is service). Students and employees participated in a cleanliness drive around the Directorate of Student Welfare office and the Sports Complex.
The gathering also featured a collective rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional songs, including “Ram Dhun” and “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye,” reinforcing the ideals of truth, non-violence and simplicity associated with Gandhi.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Dave spoke about the lives, ideals and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. He said Gandhi gave a new direction to India’s freedom movement through his principles of truth, non-violence and simplicity, and that his ideas influenced people across the world.
He also recalled Shastri’s contribution as Prime Minister, particularly his emphasis on the importance of soldiers and farmers through the inspiring slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” He noted that under Shastri’s leadership, India demonstrated resilience during the 1965 India-Pakistan war while also giving renewed impetus to agricultural development.
Som Shekhar Vyas, Dayal Nagda, Dr. Kewal Sirvi, Banshi, along with students and employees of MPUAT, attended the programme.
The programme concluded with participants taking a pledge to uphold the values of truth, non-violence, simplicity, national service and cleanliness, inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.