Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi appealed to militants on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Tuesday to forsake violence and embrace the path of non-violence to solve all issues and emulate the path shown by the Father of the Nation.
“Violence leads us to mayhem and chaos. It is through Gandhi’s greatest tool of non-violence we can bring about an end to the cycle of violence and usher in a peaceful and prosperous society,” Gogoi said at a function organised by Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board here to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
Appealing the militant outfits to eschew the path of violence, he said, ‘Violence leads us to mayhem and chaos.
“Mahatma Gandhi’s ahimsa mantra is the panacea for all problems and through non-violence we can solve all our problems,” Mr Gogoi said.
Mr Gogoi said, “Gandhi’s non-violent method not only dethroned a powerful imperialist regime and brought us the air of freedom but it became a powerful means in other parts of the globe to bring an end to injustice, oppression and subjugation.”
Living up to the Mahatma’s ideals, the Chief Minister said, the government has been focusing its attention on the development of rural areas in which the majority of the populace lives.
Lamenting the fact that Gandhiji’s dream of ‘Ram Rajya’ is far from being realised, Mr Gogoi said, ‘We have to reach out to all strata of the society, especially the poor and needy to translate the Mahatma’s dream of Ram Rajya into reality.’
Among others, he said, added thrust has been put on the development of cottage industries as it is more labour-intensive than the big industries.
“Development of cottage industries means development of rural areas. The Khadi and Village Industries Board can play a pivotal role towards that end,” he added.
Gogoi said the government will formulate an action plan to develop the cottage industries sector to open up avenues of employment opportunities.
“The state government has been working assiduously for the welfare of the poor and weaker segments of the society through a slew of welfare oriented schemes. It has been focusing its attention on the development of rural areas in which the majority of the populace lives,” he said.
“Our government has been rural-oriented with focus on improving the condition of those engaged in cottage industries, agriculture and allied fields,” he added.
The Chief Minister later inaugurated a district level PMIGP exhibition displaying khadi products and opened a newly renovated showroom of the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board at its premises.
At another function held at the Congress state headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, on Gandhi Jayanti, the Chief Minister inaugurated a solar power net metering system under Rozgar scheme and also distributed solar lanterns to students belonging to poor families.
The Chief Minister visited Gandhi Mandap where he paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and joined in the all-faith prayer meet held on the occasion.
Mr Gogoi also flagged off a peace and integration rally brought out by Seva Dal.
A plantation programme was also organised in the city by Art of Living, in collaboration with the state Forest department and Sports Authority of Assam.
About 100 students from various schools of the city participated in the programme.
In another function in Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The main function was held at the Gandhi Memorial Hall here where the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleague Phungzathang Tonsing were present.
Floral tributes were offered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi by the chief minister, Assembly Speaker I Hemochandra, Cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior civil and police officials.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Ibobi said, “We all should follow the footsteps of the Mahatma.” (Agencies)