Speaking at the Senior Citizens’ Day celebration organised by the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Foundation in association with Karnad Sadashiva Rao Memorial Trust, Ladies Social Service League, Probus Club and Ashraya here on Tuesday, he said that Gandhian ideologies are relevant not only in 21st century, but in all centuries.
Gandhi is a role model for all for his non-violence and simplicity of living, Dr Kaveriappa said and added that Gandhi could impress even Charlie Chaplin with his simplicity.

Reflecting upon India’s achievements 60 years after independence, he said that though India has progressed a lot in the field of science and technology, it is very backward in the Human Development Index of UNO which rates India as 126th among the 127 countries rated. The country is lagging behind in health sector, literacy and general standard of living.

The freedom fighters wanted social and financial equity in India after gaining Independence, but the dream never materialised. India still have a lot of problems and the only way out, as many European countries have already realised, is Gandhism, Dr Kaveriappa stated.

KMC Dean Dr C V Raghuveer in his address said that loneliness is the major problem faced by the elderly people now a days and the physical illnesses are only secondary. He advised the elderly to make friends and mix with others to escape loneliness and to keep themselves active to escape memory related illnesses like Dementia and Alzeimer’s. No problem is unsurmountable, he added.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwara Rao inaugurated the programme garlanding a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr Kaveriappa released the 2nd edition of the book ‘Mahatma Gandhi’s precious pearls’.
Gandhi Peace Foundation President Purushotam Shetty, Gandhian Octavia Albuquerque and others were present on the occasion.