Non-violence is supreme value, says Khader

District In-charge Minister U T Khader said non-violence propagated by Mahatma Gandhi is the supreme value.

Speaking after inaugurating Gandhi Namana programme, he said, "We cannot forget Mahatma Gandhi or his ideologies easily. Gandhi was synonymous for India. He is a role model for all social workers. Social justice can be achieved by walking on the path laid by Gandhi, Ambedkar and Rammanohar Lohiya."

Delivering a special lecture, writer Narendra Rai Derla said Gandhi himself is a value which has a strength to unite people from all communities. However, teachers, researchers, foreigners and intellectuals look at Gandhi from their limited perspectives and not from a broader perspective, he lamented.

Narrating an incident from the life of Gandhi, Derla said on the next day of his visit to Shantiniketan, Gandhiji had cleared the buntings at Shantiniketan, which were decorated for his welcome during the previous day. The act of Gandhiji took Rabindranath Tagore by a surprise. " This was an example for Mahatma's simplicity", Derla said.

A booklet on Gandhi and the special issue of 'Janapada' Kannada monthly were released on the occasion.

Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath presided over the programme. Zilla Panchayat President Meenakshi Shantigodu, Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, Zilla Panchayat CEO R Selvamani, City Police Commissioner T R Suresh, Information and Public Relations Department Senior Assistant Director Rohini K and Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director Rajesh were present.