Indian High Commission Staff and Forestry Plant Mangroves as Tribute to Gandhi Ji
Almost 8000 mangrove seedlings were planted at the Lami Seawall coastline in Suva as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of environmental protection.
The event on Thursday was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry.
Acting Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Sukanta Sahoo, said Gandhiji’s special connection was well-known to Fiji.
“His contribution towards the abolition of the Girmit system is appreciated not only in Fiji, but in all countries where the Indians were transported under the Indenture System,” he said.
He said Gandhi Ji’s teachings of non-violence and protection of the environment through simple and sustainable lifestyles remained relevant in today’s world where people were still battling international terrorism and climate change. “The High Commission of India in Suva also organised various events throughout this period to mark this historic occasion, where the Government of Fiji has released commemorative stamps on Gandhiji on this historic occasion,” Mr Sahoo said.
He said as a special tribute to Gandhiji, his favourite hymn, “Vaishnav Jan To” was sung by various artists from the Pacific, including artists from Fiji.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on October 2 to mark the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi). Gandhiji was born on October 2 in 1869 at Porbandar, India.
The United Nations also declared his birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Since October 2018, the Government of India has been celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gandhiji with a two-year long calendar of events.