Imphal: Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla led executives, legislators and public in paying floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary observed at Ganghi Memorial Hall, here.
The day was observed as National Cleanliness Day.
Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, former chief minister, MLAs, hief secretary, DGP, senior civil and police officials, and members of the public also paid their homage to Gandhi.
The governor reflected on Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring message of truth, non-violence and self-reliance, saying that these values remain as relevant today as they were during the freedom struggle. He noted that Gandhiji’s idea of self-reliance encourages people to take responsibility for their own growth and for the progress of society.
He also spoke about the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, noting that Manipur has made significant progress with local bodies improving sanitation and waste management, and that the state’s efforts have been acknowledged at the national level. He said these achievements reflect the collective commitment of citizens, local authorities and the state government towards creating cleaner surroundings and a healthier living environment.
The initiatives like Make in India are giving new opportunities to the youth of Manipur, with local indigenous products and handloom gaining recognition while creating livelihoods, the governor said.
Bhalla appealed to the citizens to adopt cleanliness as a way of life, not merely a civic duty, and urged everyone to work together in building a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous Manipur.
He praised the captivating dance choreography of Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram presented by the Government Dance College, as well as the soulful opening rendition by artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukanda Dev Musical College.
