Motshane kids celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birth
MOTSHANE – Over 50 children from Motshane I Care Point on Monday joined the Indian High Commission to celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
The children were treated to a scrumptious lunch, which was cooked by the Acting Indian High Commissioner Susan Joseph. Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2.
The High Commission of India selected the care point to celebrate this day with the children attending school there.
In an interview with Joseph, she stated that they were actually donating their service instead of money to the community in relation to Gandhi’s principles.
Commitment
According to Joseph, Gandhi was known the world over for his commitment to non-violence and peace.
He was also a great believer in Shramdaan, which is voluntary physical service for the community and cleanliness of surroundings.
She said they began by painting the care point which was a noble experience and they also cooked for the children and planted fruit and indigenous trees around the care point.
“This gives me joy and felt I truly good about the service.” Joseph said they looked for a community school in the outskirts and identified the care point, where they thought they could assist.
The high commission stated that they wanted to perform work related to Gandhi’s principles which included ‘Shramdaan’ or giving labour and not donation of money as he believed in service. Joseph said along with the Gandhi principles, they thought they could do something that was fruitful and useful for the community. She stated that when they saw the condition of the care point, they thought it would be an opportunity to paint it so it looked good. Joseph said the high commission employees participated in the service.
She further mentioned that as part of the celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the High Commission of India would conduct various activities aimed at spreading the message of ‘SwatchchaBharat’ which meant cleanliness is service.
Values
Joseph said Gandhi’s values were relevant even today as all people should do their bit to be self aligned, clean surroundings and help communities.
Motshane Indvuna Yenkhundla Nigel Shongwe commended the Indian High Commission for choosing to celebrate with their community.
Shongwe said they felt special that the high commission could celebrate such an important day with them.
He said they also appreciated that they encouraged them to plant trees which would be beneficiary to the children at the care point in future.