The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant led the people of the State in paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the 155^th Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti by offering floral tributes at the statue of Gandhiji at Gandhi Chowk, Old Goa.

Local MLA, Rajesh Faldessai, Sarpanch of Se Old Goa Panchayat, Smt. Medha M. Parvatkar, Zilla Panchayat Member Shri Siddesh S. Naik, State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) Shri Aravind Kumar H. Nair and State Information Commissioners (SIC) Shri Atmara R. Barve and others dignitaries paid floral tributes to the memory of the great leader at his life size statue on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dr. Sawant speaking on the occasion said that, Mahatma Gandhiji, who gave the message of peace and non-violence, not only focused on freeing India from British domination, but also worked to raise awareness about cleanliness, spreading the message that it is the only religion. Continuing Mahatma Gandhi’s cleanliness ideal and to pay his last respects to Mahatma Gandhiji, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has launched the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan / clean India mission, enlisting people of all ages across the country to make India clean. This endeavour of his has now completed ten years, he added.

Speaking further, the Chief Minister said to build a better Nation, Mahatma Gandhi embraced the philosophy of “Antodaya Tatva” which sought to reach out to the last person of the society and ensure that no one was left out of government services when India gained independence. Taking this step ahead, the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister of India through Atmanirbhar Bharat mission have made all efforts for the overall development of this country and ensured that facility such as water, insurance, housing, roads, etc. have reached the last person of the society. The State Government through Swayampurna Goa mission, is making all efforts to make each and every Goan village and city self reliant. Due importance is provided on skilled education through Skilling, reskilling and Upskilling to make our youth skilled.

Recalling the Mahatma Gandhi’s another mission to use ‘Khadi’, Chief Minister said that under the mission vocal for local, we should also try to use the local product. Our focus on Make in India and Made in India, will give boost to India’s economy. The Prime Minister of India apart from giving importance to Clean India mission, also focusses on various aspects such as Make In India, Digital India, Start-up India, Fit India etc, for Nation’s development.

Religious leaders, Shri Gajendra Khedekar, Fr Patricio Fernandes and Hazarat Maulana Mahammad Rafik recited verses from the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran.

Kala Academy choir group sang bhajans on the occasion. Sarpanch of Se Old Goa, Smt. Medha M. Parvatkar welcomed while Shri Pradip Naik compered the function.

Later, the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, MLA, Shri Rajesh Faldessai, Sarpanch, Smt. Medha M. Parvatkar, ZP member, Shri Siddesh S. Naik and other dignitaries attended the function organised by Se Old Goa Village Panchayat to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, late Lal Bahadur Shastri, at the panchayat premises and offered floral tributes.

Swacch Bharat Abhiyan is not just about creating awareness, but also a thought and planning process aimed at changing the way people think, said Minister for Urban Development, Shri Vishwajit Rane. He was speaking at a felicitation function for best performers in the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign  and Safai Karmacharis at State and District Level, organized by the Department of Urban Development and the Goa State Urban Development Agency, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in the city today.

Emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset, Rane noted that while people want their homes to be clean, they often disregard cleanliness in public spaces, carelessly throwing newspapers and litter. He stressed that the same level of care we show for our homes should extend to public spaces. Rane also called on municipalities to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their respective wards, as they are the elected representatives of the people.

He commended Safai Karmacharis, pointing out that their work often goes unrecognized and that they deserve more respect and appreciation for their contributions.

Speaking about Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, a vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Rane recalled how the initiative was initially mocked, but when the Prime Minister personally picked up a broom and started cleaning, it gradually became a nationwide mission. The core idea, he said, was to transform people’s mindsets.

Shri Rane further mentioned that he plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming assembly session to grant more power to CCP and  municipalities enabling them to function independently.

Shri Rohit Monserrate, Mayor CCP on this occasion recalled that Panjim was recognized as the fastest-moving city in last year’s Swacch Mission rankings and expressed his gratitude to the Safai Karmacharis for their dedicated work. He noted that these workers often put in tremendous effort but rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

Smt Nutan Bicholkar, Chairperson , Municipal Council also spoke on the occasion.

Safai Karmacharis from various municipalities were felicitated by Shri Vishwajit Rane at the event.

Mapusa Municipal Council was awarded 1st place, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji received 2nd place for Best Urban Local Body (ULB) in the Cleanliness Target Unit Transformed category.

Canacona and Mormugao Municipal Councils were recognized for their efforts in the Swachhata Hi Bhagidari category, securing 1st and 2nd place, respectively.

Ponda and Valpoi Municipal Councils were awarded Best ULB for conducting Safai Karmacharis Suraksha Shivirs.

Pernem Municipal Council secured 1st place, and Mapusa Municipal Council received 2nd place for Best Waste to Art Initiative by a ULB.

Quepem Municipal Council took 1st place, and Ponda Municipal Council took 2nd place for Best Special Initiative during the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign.

Mahatma Gandhi has always stood for his principles of truth and non violence, he   also regarded cleanliness and purity of mind and soul as high virtues of life said the Governor Shri. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai while speaking at a function organized to commemorate Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Bhavan today.

The Governor Shri. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai greeted the people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said, Gandhian ideologies shaped the creation of institutions and practices where the voice and perspective of everyone can be articulated, tested and transformed. The Governor further said, Gandhiji developed these ideologies from various inspirational sources one of them was Bhagvad Geeta.

The Governor told one incident about Gandhiji, a journalist asked Mahatma Gandhiji to give the message to the people of India, Gandhiji replied “my life is my message”. Mahatma Gandhiji summed up his philosophy of life with these thoughtful words.

Mahatma Gandhi’s life and principles has inspired lives of all ages,” the Governor said urging all the people to follow the principles laid by Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier the Governor, First Lady of Goa Smt. Rita Sreedharan Pillai and other dignitaries garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and paid tributes.

Shri M. R. M. Rao, IAS, Secretary to Governor was also present on the occasion.

Shri. Dhyaneshwar Patil, Hindu Scholar, Maulana Mohammad Irfan Raza and Father Francis Akara OP spoke on life and work of Mahatma Gandhiji and offered prayers.

Smt. Samradni Aeer & group of Kala Academy performed bhajans.

 Gandhi Jayanti is observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas as a tribute to the father of Nation – the Governor and other dignitaries participated in Swacch Bharat Abhiyan near New Durbar Hall.