West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday paid their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 156th birth anniversary.
Describing Gandhi as a great leader whose name would forever be etched in golden letters in the pages of history, Banerjee recalled the profound teachings of peace, non-violence of the Father of the Nation.
"Mahatma Gandhi, the great leader of our country, his name will be written in golden letters on the pages of history. His message of non-violence, message of peace, message of unity, message of harmony remains eternally memorable," Banerjee said in a X post.
The chief minister also mentioned Gandhi's iconic prayer, 'Ishwar Allah tero naam, sabko samnati de bhagwan' (O God, your name is Ishwar, your name is Allah; grant peace to all), which calls for religious tolerance, peace, and harmony among all people.
"His message of non-violence, message of peace, message of unity, message of harmony remains eternally memorable," the CM said.
Banerjee emphasised the importance of remembering and upholding this message, especially in times of growing divisiveness.
"We especially remember those words today and request everyone to remember them," she added in the post, urging citizens to reflect on the teachings of Gandhi.
The governor attended a series of commemorative programs at Gandhi Ghat, in Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district, to pay homage to the Father of the Nation.
Bose also paid his respect to the great leader at the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road in Kolkata.
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee called Gandhi the "eternal apostle of peace, truth and non-violence" and paid his tribute to him.
He said that Gandhi's ideals remind us that a nation's true strength lies in moral courage, unity, and harmony.
"In a world still torn by conflict and discord, his message serves as a guiding light for the future," he said, urging the country to carry forward Gandhi's vision of an inclusive, humane, and just India," he posted on X handle.