Kalam, Sonia, PM urge people to follow Gandhi

President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the people to follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi by making sacrifices and playing a role in transforming india into a prosperous nation.

Speaking on the occasion of the releasing of commemorative coins to mark the 75th anniversary of Dandi March on Gandhi's 136 birth anniversary here, Kalam said, "We should remember the Dandi March and cherish it".

He said this march was the beginning of the Independence struggle that culminated in India's freedom from the British.

Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, through the Dandi March, the leaders of the country wanted to free India from the foreign rule and from a mindset of dependence.

"Self reliance in the modern world implies the ability to pursue one's interest with self-confidence and faith in one's own capabilities. We can pursue greater self-reliance by creating inter-relationships of inter-dependence that enhance our bargaining power," Singh said.

Speaking on the occasion, UPA Chairperson and Congresss chief Sonia Gandhi said the lessons of the Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi is more significant in today's world. She said it is touching that the anniversary was taking place at the Gandhi Smriti where the father of the nation fell to assassin's bullets.

President Kalam also narrated an incident told to him by Sumitra Kulkarni, the grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, during her visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Gandhi, he said, went on a one-day fast when it was reported to him that collections for Harijan welfare that were donated during one of his regular prayer meeting fell short by one coin of a low denomination. Kalam said the message of Gandhi's fast was righteousness, dharma and guarding people's contribution made for such purposes.

The Prime Minister said Gandhi's message of self-reliance and self-respect, best symbolised by the Dandi march, was a message of "standing on one's own feet and then dealing with the world with confidence and assurance".

He said while idea of self-reliance was important, it did not mean cutting ourselves away from the world.

The Prime Minister said the Dandi march was not only a march for independence, but was also a march for the upliftment of the poorest of the poor. He said the march was also for the emancipation of women and their empowerment, the removal of untouchability, the assertion of the right of people over the natural resources of which they are the inheritors and owners, the establishment of unity of people professing diverse faiths, and above all, a march for "our" spiritual regeneration.

"I salute Mahatma Gandhi for the courage of his conviction and the power of his symbolism. Holding up a fist of salt from the soil of Mother India, Gandhiji made British rule unpalatable. It was a historic moment in the creation of free India," Singh said.

He said it was a march of unity of all Indians, irrespective of caste and religion, language and region.

"This inclusive nature of our national movement created the foundation for our inclusive democracy. By following Gandhiji's life and deeds, by recapturing the spirit of his ideas like Dandi march, we can build the India of Gandhiji's dream. An inclusive India," he said.

The Prime Minister said many Congressmen and women, inspired by the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, participated in the historic re-enactment of Dandi march.

Stating that the government also issued commemorative postage stamps to mark the event, singh complimented Finance Minister P.Chidambaram for the initiative in coming out with the commemorative coins of Rs 5 and Rs 100.

Sonia Gandhi said the father of nation concentrated on bringing up the most backward persons in the country. "Our struggle is not over as there are still people who do not get even two square meals a day," she added.

The leaders then attended a 'sarva dharma prarthna' in which hyms were recited from various religions. Gandhi's favourite songs were also recited on the occasion.

According to finance ministry officials, while the Rs 5 coin will be under normal circulation, the Rs 100 coin will be issued on request.

The coins released on the occasion have Gandhi's Dandi march portrait on one side and the national emblem on the other.