Mahatma Gandhi guiding light to eradicate poverty: Kovind
New Delhi, Oct 1 : In his message on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said Mahatma Gandhi will be the guiding light in India's pursuit to eradicate poverty and achieve rapid social and economic progress.
He said it would be "only befitting" to celebrate this year's Jayanti with welfare programmes pertinent to the life and work of Gandhi, said a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement.
"The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a true tribute to Gandhiji, who espoused cleanliness as an essential element of healthy living," Kovind said.
"This Gandhi Jayanti let us all resolve to make our homes, residential areas, cities, villages and our country clean and to spread the message of total sanitation. Mahatma Gandhiji's message remains relevant for all Indians and indeed for all humanity."
This year is even more special since it marks the beginning of the celebration of 150 years of the Gandhi's birth, he added.
The President said Gandhi's leadership inspired millions to participate in the struggle for independence.
He said Gandhi Jayanti was an occasion "to rededicate ourselves" to the values espoused by the Father of the Nation including peace, harmony and inclusive national development.
"Mahatma Gandhi's values and his life itself had a universal appeal, making him an ideal not just for Indians but for the entire world," he said.
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Youngster beaten to death at temple festival in Kozhikode; Three taken into custody
Kozhikode: A 20-year-old youngster was beaten to death by a group of men during a temple festival at Palakkandi, Palakkottuvayal, Kozhikode. The deceased has been identified as Suraj, son of Bobby, a resident of Ambalakandi.
According to locals, a dispute had broken out between Suraj and his friends late last night, which allegedly led to the fatal attack. Around 15 to 20 men reportedly assaulted Suraj at the festival venue.
The Chevayur police have taken three suspects into custody, including a father and his two sons who live nearby. The investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events.
In February, Kozhikode had witnessed a similar tragedy when Muhammed Shahabas, a Class 10 student, was beaten to death following a conflict during a farewell party at a local tuition centre. Shahabas, who was not a student of the centre, became involved in a fight between students of MJHSS Elettil School and Thamarassery GVHSS. A technical glitch that interrupted the music reportedly triggered the altercation, which escalated into violence involving the use of a deadly martial arts weapon, nunchaku.
Last Friday, the Kerala High Court denied bail to five juveniles accused in Shahabas's murder case.
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