IMPHAL, Oct 2: As observed in other parts of the country every year on Gandhi Jayanti, the National Cleanliness Day was observed today in different parts of the state with the objective of maintaining clean and hygienic surrounding.
The state level observation was held this morning at Gandhi Memorial Hall with the chief minister O Ibobi as the chief guest. Floral tributes were also paid to Mahatma Gandhi on his 141st birthday by the dignitaries of the function.
Addressing the gathering at the observation function, the chief minister, Okram Ibobi, who was chief guest at the function, stated that the National Cleanliness Day is observed every year on the birthday of the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who put a premium on public cleanliness and hygiene.
He said that Mahatma Gandhi whom Indians dearly call “Bapuji†was a staunch believer of truth and non-violence who had risen strongly against the mighty British rulers and had also worked dedicatedly for the welfare of the suppressed and weaker sections of the society.
Ibobi further said that Mahatma Gandhi was a great social reformer who had dreamt of establishing a new society based on the principles of truth, non-violence, love, fraternity and equality.
He further stated that Gandhiji had always desired for cleanliness and hygiene which are vital for a healthy and disease-free society and so the Day is being observed all over the country along with various activities like cleaning of drains and local surroundings.
The chief minister said that a healthy society is one of the pre-requisites for a developed nation and the people should try to develop good physical and mental ability by maintaining cleanliness. The people should also live in peace and harmony by shedding feelings of enmity, hatred, jealousy and violence, he asserted.
Ibobi also appealed to the people of the state to adopt the principles of Mahatma Gandhi like truth, non-violence and cleanliness for a peaceful and progressive society.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also observed the 141st birthday of Mahatma Gandhi at Congress Bhavan, Imphal, by paying floral tributes to the Father of Nation.
