img-3534

 Denpasar (Metrobali.com)-

The Consulate General of India in Bali, in association with the Gandhi Puri Ashram, jointly celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of Peace. A large number of people were present at the elegant function which was held in the beautiful sylvan surroundings of the Gandhi Park in Desa Budaya Kertalangu on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2016.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), fondly called Mahatma (meaning Great Soul) Gandhi, is considered the Father of the Indian Nation and spent his life working for the upliftment of the downtrodden and weaker sections of the society. His principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and Truth were the guiding principles in India’s struggle and the ultimate attainment of freedom from British rule in 1947. In recognition of the importance of his message, the United Nations has declared his birthday, October 2nd, as the International Day of Non-violence.

The Gandhi Park, in the Garden of Peace Gong, has become the center of world peace and humanitarian values’ education. The Park is used for the social and spiritual activity, as well as for the sake of world peace movement. The Park was inaugurated in July 2016 by noted Gandhian and the Dirctor of National Youth Project, Gandhi Peace Foundation, India, Dr. S.N. Subba Rao

The gathering was welcomed by Mr. Agus Indra Udayana, noted Gandhian and Head of the Gandhi Puri Ashram, who spoke of the relevance of the seven social sins of Mahatma Gandhi.

The gathering was addressed by the Consul General of India, Mr. Sunil Babu, who spoke of the visionary message of Truth and Non-violence that exemplifies the life of Mahatma Gandhi, which resonates in our daily lives, even today. Dr Ni Putu Tirka Widanti, President of Yayasan Kul Kul, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy and the Chair for Master of Administrations Science, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Ngurah Rai, Indonesia, also shared her thoughts about the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi with the audience.

Apart from the speeches on Mahatma Gandhi, members of the Gandhi Puri Ashram gave a melodious rendition of the spiritual song (bhajan) dear to Mahatma Gandhi, which he used in his daily prayers – Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram , and also to songs titled Om Tat Sat and Salawat Nabi.

The Consulate also exhibited a photography exhibition on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The exhibition featured over 20 photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, from the National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi. The photos show a young Gandhi at the age of seven in 1876, during his early years of legal practice in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1900, his struggle against apartheid in South Africa and during the Indian Independence Struggle.  The exhibition was inaugurated at Gandhi Park on 2nd October 2016 and will continue to be exhibited at Gandhi Puri Ashram “Sevagram” Kulungkung, Jl. Raya Paksebali, Paksebali Village, Dawan, Klungkung. The exhibition is open for public.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Consulate also started an India Corner at the venue, by donating books on Mahatma Gandhi, Indian culture, and spiritual subjects. The aim of the establishment is to share the knowledge and information about India and especially Mahatma Gandhi for people in Bali, as well as to strengthen the relationship between India and Indonesia in general and Bali particularly. The photography exhibition was jointly inaugurated by the Consul General and the Head of Gandhi Puri Ashram, Mr Agus Indra Udayana.

After the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti at Gandhi Park. The Consul General of India in Bali, R.O Sunil Babu together with the Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Dr. dr. I Ketut Suastika SpPD (KMED) gave floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Bust, Which was inaugurated by Vice President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari on November 2015,  located at front area of Joint Laboratory of Agrocomplex, Udayana University, PB Sudirman Street, Denpasar.  RED-MB