New Delhi, Oct 2 : Launching a two-year-long celebration marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday shared their messages on social media.

"Tribute to Bapu on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhiji's life was devoted to the ideals of peace, brotherhood and harmony. Today, there is an opportunity to replicate our allegiance and resolve towards these ideals. Mahatma Gandhi's teachings are relevant to the whole of humanity," Kovind tweeted early in the day.

Sharing his op-ed to national dailies on the occasion, the Prime Minister said: "From today we are entering Pujya Bapu's 150th anniversary year. It is a great opportunity for all of us to fulfill their dreams. #Gandhi150."

In his op-ed he said: "He (the Mahatma) remains a shining beacon of hope for millions of people across the world who seek a life of equality, dignity, inclusion and empowerment. The impact he left on human society has few parallels...

"Let us think about how our actions can contribute to a cleaner and greener environment for the future generations. Almost eight decades ago, when the threats of pollution were not as much, Gandhiji took to cycling...

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said truth and non-violence -- the two beacons of Mahatma Gandhi's life -- that he lived and died for, are India's foundation and true patriots must protect them.

"Gandhiji, is not an immobile statue, he is a living set of ideas and values flowing through India. Truth and non-violence, which he lived for and was killed for are the foundation of our country. True patriots must protect them," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

 

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Panaji (PTI): The Indian Medical Association's Goa branch has condemned the attack on an oncologist by a patient's relative at a hospital in Chennai and demanded a stringent and deterrant legislation to curb violence against doctors in the country.

Such cases need to be fast-tracked, with exemplary punishment to culprits, it said.

Dr Balaji Jagannathan (53) was stabbed at least seven times on Wednesday by a man at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Chennai allegedly over grievances regarding the treatment of his mother at the facility, according to hospital officials.

The doctor was being treated and his condition was reported to be stable, they said.

The 26-year old accused was later arrested.

Condemning the attack, IMA Goa president Dr Sandesh Chodankar on Wednesday said, "This (attacks on medical professionals) has become a regular and recurring phenomena in healthcare sector across India which clearly exposes the failure on part of the government to take care of safety and security issues threatening the very existence of this noble profession."

The incident has happened despite community awareness, token strikes, rallies, candle marches and sensitisation of stakeholders conducted after the incident of rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August, he noted.

Chodankar said the IMA has been demanding a strong and stringent central law for violence against doctors at pan-India level with fast tracking of such cases and extraordinary and exemplary punishment to the culprits.

The government should take a note of this sensitive issue and come out with a deterrent legislation, he said.

Referring to the incident in Chennai, Chodankar said this act of "national shame" by patients and their attendants seems to be unstoppable at this point of time, clearly exposing the system's failure.