ITANAGAR, 3 Oct: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday invoked the enduring message of Mahatma Gandhi, calling upon people to draw strength from his vision of truth, non-violence and compassion to build a peaceful world.
Paying homage to the Father of the Nation at Gandhi Udyan in Niti Vihar here, Khandu said that “on Gandhi Jayanti we pay tribute to the eternal values of Mahatma Gandhi. His principles of truth, non-violence, compassion, and moral courage continue to guide humanity.”
Reflecting on the day’s observance, the chief minister in a post on X said, “Bapu’s message of truth and compassion still guides our nation’s path. May we draw strength from his vision to build a world rooted in peace, justice, and harmony.”
Khandu noted that the timeless ideals of Gandhi resonate strongly with India’s journey towardsharmony and inclusivity.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, in a social media post, echoed the same spirit of reverence.
“On the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi ji, I bow in reverence to his timeless ideals of truth, non-violence, and simplicity,” the DCM wrote on X.
Highlighting Gandhi’s relevance in contemporary society, Mein added that Gandhi’s message of peace and harmony “remains a guiding light for our society and a moral compass for humanity.”
“Let us rededicate ourselves to building a nation rooted in justice, unity, and compassion,” Mein added.
Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated across the state.
In Pasighat in East Siang district, local MLA Tapi Darang inaugurated a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Chowk. People from different religions offered prayers and floral tributes to Gandhi on his 156th birth anniversary.
The day also marked the culmination of the fortnight-long ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to various social workers, organizations, individuals, and government departments that participated in the Swachhta Abhiyan campaign in Pasighat.
Similar programmes were also held in various other districts, including Namsai, Tezu, Tirap, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Lower Siang, Tawang and West Siang.
In Kurung Kumey district, the month-long ‘Kachra Mela’ 2025 initiated by the district administration under the guidance of the DC Cheechung Chukhu culminated with an inter-school fest.
The event, held from 2 September witnessed over 800 students from 10 schools actively engaging in diverse activities centred around the theme of cleanliness and creativity.
As part of the campaign, students were encouraged to collect at least one piece of garbage every day for 30 days. This daily habit was designed to inculcate cleanliness, discipline, and responsibility, ensuring that the surroundings in and around their schools remain clean.
The best school was chosen based on the efforts put in during this 30-day drive, and the Girls’ Residential School, Ampongney was honored as the best and cleanest school under the Kachra Mela 2025.
The Urban Affairs Department and the PHE&WS Department, in collaboration with the Lower Siang district administration, organized a social service at the Malinithan compound as part of the nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’, 2025.
In Yachuli, the Keyi Panyor district administration in collaboration with the UD&H and the PHE&WS Departments launched the ‘Clean Keyi Panyor’campaign at the mini-secretariat to mark Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of eco-friendly donated bamboo dustbins under the ‘Donate a dustbin’ initiative, an extension of the broader ‘Har ghar se ek dustbin’ campaign.
Conceived on 8 July and officially announced on 16 July, this initiative has now resulted in the installation of 100 donated bamboo dustbins across the district at43 strategic locations, with special focus on the Potin-Joram stretch of NH 13 and other public spaces.
The bamboo dustbins were chosen not only for their eco-friendliness and sustainable design but also for their craftsmanship, blending environmental responsibility with local identity.
Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta emphasized that “cleanliness cannot be achieved by infrastructure alone; it requires a shift in mindset. Every responsible act of waste disposal is a gesture of respect for our land and future generations.”
Arunachal Pradesh University in Pasighat also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary.
The commemorative programme, held on campus, brought together faculty members, staff, and students in a solemn celebration of Gandhi’s enduring legacy of peace, non-violence, and moral leadership.
Meanwhile, around 550 cadets from the 2 Arunachal Pradesh NCC Battalion participated in a large-scale cleanliness drive on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The initiative spanned across Tawang, West Kameng, Bichom, and East Kameng districts, reflecting the true spirit of Swachhta Hi Seva.
As part of the campaign, the cadets took part in extensive cleaning activities in public areas, including schools, marketplaces, and town spaces. Large quantities of waste were collected and properly disposed of, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for the local communities.
Meanwhile, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) in Rono Hills felicitated safai mitras who had tirelessly worked from 1 September to 2 October during the observance of Swachhata Pakhwada and Swachhata Hi Seva-2025, ensuring that the RGU campus remained clean and green.
Sanitary inspector Lika Thalian, along with the safai mitra team received special acknowledgment for their dedicated service and contribution during the Swachh Bharat Diwas celebration held at the university’s campus on Thursday, in commemoration of the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, under the banner of the Swachhata Hi Seva-2025 campaign.
In his address, RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof SK Nayak emphasized that cleanliness must become a culture and a collective responsibility. Nayak urged the university community to work together towards a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
RGU Registrar Dr NT Rikam expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts of the safai mitras and thanked them for their selfless contribution in keeping the RGU campus clean and green.
Physical Education Assistant Director Dr A Yuvaraj highlighted the importance of cleanliness as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, reminding the gathering that it is not only a civic duty but also a way of life.
The celebration also marked the culmination of a series of activities held as part of Swachhata Pakhwada and Swachhata Hi Seva-2025, which included prabhat pheris, awareness drives, cleanliness campaigns, and health check-up camps in the university campus. (With inputs from DIPROs and PTI)
