Gandhi Jayanthi 2023 – Celebrations @ PES University

Celebrations to commemorate the 154th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi alongside the 119th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri was a dignified and meaningful event that provided attendees with an opportunity to reflect upon the life and times of the two great souls.

The event was organised at the Open Air Theatre, PES University, Ring Road Campus and was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. K S Sridhar, Registrar; Prof. M V Sathyanarayana, Director, PES Institutions, Hanumanth Nagar Campus; Dr. V Krishna, Dean, Student Affairs; Dr. S Karthik, Controller of Examinations; Dr. TSB Sudarshan, Dean, Research; Principals of various PES Institutions, Deans & Chairpersons of various faculty / departments of the University, faculty members, support staff and students.

The event commenced at 8.45 am with a floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi by the Dignitaries and all the faculty members and students who had assembled. This was followed by a welcome by Miss Khushi Jayprakash, student of 3rd semester, B. Tech – ECE, RR Campus, who was also the Master of Ceremony for the program.

Insightful speeches were delivered by Miss Sanjana and Miss Achala, students at PES PU College, Hanumanth Nagar Campus, who eloquently spoke about the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Their speeches served as a reminder of Gandhiji's unwavering commitment to non-violence, truth and justice, and the lasting impact of his ideals on our society.

Dr. V Krishna spoke on the life and contributions of Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri. He spoke about Shastriji’s contribution to the independence movement and further about his role in the post-independence period and outlined the circumstances leading to this demise in the then Soviet Union.

Prof. Ganesh Prasad Upadhyaya, Sanskrit Faculty Member at PES Pre-University College, in his speech, offered a thoughtful perspective on the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. He underlined the relevance of Gandhian principles in the present day, emphasizing the need to uphold truth, non-violence, and social harmony in our lives. His words resonated with the audience, instilling a sense of purpose and reflection.

Adding a cultural dimension to the event, there were performances of Sabarmati Ashram Bhajans. These musical renditions celebrated the spirit of Sabarmati Ashram, an integral part of Mahatma Gandhi's life, and added a melodious touch to the commemoration. The bhajans were rendered by students of the Music Club of PESU: Karthik - 3rd Sem, B. Tech AI & ML; Sunidhi Abhyankar - 3rd Sem, B.Sc. Hons Psychology; Apoorva Prashanth - 3rd Sem, B. Tech BioTech; Aadhira S - 1st Sem, BBA LLB; Roshini - 1st Sem BA, Psychology; Havyshmathy Venkatraman - 1st Sem, B. Tech AI & ML; Akshara S - 1st Sem, BBA.

Dr. K S Sridhar, Registrar of PES University, rendered the presidential remarks. His eloquent words encapsulated the essence of Gandhi Jayanti, emphasizing that the celebration was not merely a ritual but a call to action. He urged all attendees to internalize Gandhian values and strive to be the change they wish to see in the world.

The event drew to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. V Krishna, Dean, Student Affairs. With a tone of gratitude and appreciation, Dr. V Krishna expressed heartfelt thanks to all attendees, the organizing committee, and everyone involved in making the event a success. He acknowledged the collective effort that went into commemorating the legacy of Indian Independence and encouraged all participants to carry forward the spirit of this event in their daily lives. His closing words served as a fitting conclusion to the event, leaving a sense of unity and purpose among the audience.

The atmosphere throughout the event was marked by a sense of reverence and contemplation. The over 250 attendees found solace in the timeless wisdom of Mahatma Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastriji. In summary, the celebrations graced by the esteemed presence of the dignitaries, was a formal, yet deeply meaningful event. It served as a platform for everyone to pay their respects to Mahatma Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastriji and recommit themselves to the values they championed. The event left a lasting impression, reminding everyone of the enduring relevance of Gandhian principles in our modern world.