New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) organised a Gandhi Jayanti Fair at its headquarters at the Civic Centre on Thursday to commemorate the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The fair was inaugurated by Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi and the chief guest, His Excellency Denis Alipov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India.

Welcoming the Russian Ambassador to the event, Mayor Pravesh Wahi said that Mahatma Gandhi had shown the path of truth and non-violence, which everyone should remember and uphold. He also paid floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

During the fair, the Mayor spun the charkha alongside the Russian Ambassador and the Municipal Commissioner as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. He also visited an exhibition featuring photographs and displays on Gandhi and the great Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy.

On the occasion, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov said that Gandhi belongs to the entire world and that the message of truth, non-violence and human dignity that he gave to India remains meaningful for the world. He congratulated the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for organising the Gandhi Jayanti Fair.

Visitors to the fair also participated in the Akhand Charkha Yajna by spinning the charkha and remembering Gandhi’s contribution to India’s freedom movement. They also visited all the stalls set up at the fair and gathered information about the products and services on display.

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Pravesh Wahi said that Mahatma Gandhi, whose life inspired the entire world to follow the path of peace and non-violence, was an ideal in himself. He said Gandhi’s ideas of Swadeshi and Swaraj would continue to inspire generations for centuries.

The Mayor said that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, everyone should resolve to ensure that every section of society has access to quality education, healthcare and other essential facilities. He said Mahatma Gandhi showed the way of truth and non-violence, and that his philosophy remains relevant even today.

The fair also featured exhibitions organised by various MCD departments, including the Public Health Department. Non-governmental organisations and women’s self-help groups also participated in the exhibitions.

The Public Health Department provided visitors with information about services being offered by the civic body, including information on anaemia and vaccination, nutrition during pregnancy, and measures to prevent mosquito-borne and water-borne diseases.

In addition to these activities, students from Delhi Municipal Corporation schools presented cultural programmes at the event.

Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma, Deputy Mayor Dr Monika Pant, Education Committee Chairperson Yogesh Verma, Councillor Suman Gupta, Municipal Commissioner Sanjiv Khirwar, Additional Commissioners, Rajghat Samadhi Committee Secretary Dr Rajneesh Kumar and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar