Tag: Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Bhavan in Kolkata to open as a full-fledged museum

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Gandhi Bhavan, the house in Beleghata, Kolkata where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for a few weeks in 1947 in an effort to quell communal tensions, has now been developed into a full-fledged museum by the Bangla Government. It would be inaugurated today to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary.

When the Mahatma stayed there, it was known as Hyderi Manzil. It was renamed Gandhi Bhavan to honour him.

The Bangla Government under the administration of Mamata Banerjee took over the building in 2018 and has fully upgraded it in an effort to raise awareness among the present generation about Gandhiji and his association with Bangla.

The museum has several divisions including:

* Rare photographs capturing Gandhiji’s life during his 1947 visit to Bangla and stay at Hyderi Manzil

* Articles used by him during the over three-week period of his stay in 1947

* Photographs and articles spanning Gandhiji’s entire life

* Items used by him in the ashram he set up at Sodepur, 10km from Beleghata, to help inmates weave clothes using the charkha

* His correspondence (letters) with people in Noakhali, in present-day Bangladesh, during the period of the turmoil in Kolkata and Noakhali

* Newspaper clippings recording the turbulent phases in Bangla’s history

* Glass case with three swords surrendered to the Mahatma by the rioters

* Audio-visual presentation with voice-over

* Frescoes depicting non-violent movements of Gandhiji on the walls of the museum

* Walls of the central hall are adorned with paintings depicting the 1947 communal violence, made by students of Visva-Bharati University

Bangla Government honouring the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

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January 30 is the death anniversary of the ‘Father of the Nation’, Mahatma Gandhi. His connection with Bangla had always been spiritual. The Bangla Government observes Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2 and his death anniversary on January 30, with due honour every year.

When India gained independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi had been residing in Gandhi Bhavan in Beliaghata, Kolkata. At present, Gandhi Bhavan also comprises a museum which showcases the charkha (spinning wheel) which he used when he resided here. Rare pictures of the Mahatma can also be found hung across the museum walls.

On the occasion of his death anniversary, here are some highlights of the Bangla Government’s tributary efforts towards Mahatma Gandhi:

  • This year’s Republic Day tableau depicted the time Gandhi ii spent in Bangla along with the great poet Rabindranath Tagore. The tableau depicted a picture of ‘Shyamoli’, the house where he lived in Santiniketan, and other imagery related to this phase of his life. The whole concept was conceived by Mamata Banerjee.
  • Mahatma Gandhi spent a considerable amount of time in this house in Beliaghata. The chief minister had launched the restoration work of the Gandhi Bhavan and the museum, worth Rs 3.5 crore, on the occasion of his birth anniversary on October 2, 2018.
  • The Bangla Government has set up a committee to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The chief minister is the chairperson of this 46-member committee, the first meeting of which was held on April 23, 2018.
  • Mamata Banerjee has also laid the foundation stone of a university named after Mahatma Gandhi in Tamluk in Purba Medinipur district.
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary is observed as Sampriti Dibas across Bengal.
  • The State Government has introduced a scholarship scheme called ‘Medhabi Bhata’ and also designated a chair under his name in Calcutta University.
  • Apart from these, mention must also be made of a book due to be published by the Bangla Government containing all of Gandhi ji’s speeches, which will be released under the name, Father of the Nation.

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Fuel Price Hike: Abhishek Banerjee walks home as a mark of protest

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The Trinamool Congress and several associations today took part in a huge protest rally at the foot of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Mayo Road. Speakers highlighted the plight of the common man in the face of all essential prices going up because of the incessant rise in petrol and diesel prices. The rally culminated with a speech by All-India Trinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee, in which he exhorted those present to continue with the protest by boycotting all transport and walking home from the protest rally.

 

Highlights of Abhishek Banerjee’s speech:

At the very beginning, I want to announce a special decision. After the culmination of today’s meeting, we are going to walk home and boycott transport to protest the fuel price hike. Those who are willing may please join us in this protest.

The prices of petrol and diesel have been going up every day for the past 16 days. There is no abatement, there is no compensation. This is affecting the prices of almost everything, hurting the common man badly. Very soon, thanks to the Modi government at the Centre, the price of petrol will reach a century. Before that, we must try to bowl the team out, so that the woes and suffering of the people all over the country will cease.

One after the other, the Modi government has been pursuing anti-people policies. But let me tell you, the Trinamool Congress is not a party that will welt to this continuous onslaught. With every new threat, we stand steadfast and know how to counter each of them. They promised “achhe din”, they promised jobs, they promised so many things…but all this is just talk. Very unlike what the Trinamool Congress has been able to do under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. We have delivered what we have promised.

They are trying to dictate what the people should wear, what to eat, where to go, where to not go, whom to speak with, whom to meet – is this the freedom that people should be subjected to? For every juncture of one’s life, one is required to produce Aadhaar card. Is this not curbing one’s freedom and right to privacy? These are policies that the our party is vehemently against. We stand for the welfare of the people. That is our primary concern.

Another protest against the fuel price hike will be held by the Trinamool Youth Congress on May 31 in a similar manner. We will not stop till there is relief for the common man. The Karnataka poll outcome has sounded their farewell bell. We will bid them the remaining goodbye with the vote in 2019.

 

Gandhi Bhawan in Beleghata to be taken over by State Govt

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The Bengal Government has decided to take over Gandhi Bhawan in Beleghata (Kolkata).

Mahatma Gandhi had chosen to stay here because the Muslims and Hindus lived close to each other in Beleghata at that time, and there seemed to be no let-up in the bloodbath that began in 1946. As a tribute to his stay, the house was named Gandhi Bhawan.

After taking over, the State Government will be fully in charge of maintaining the house. The museum will be opened up for all and sundry. The government has plans for promoting the place as a major tourist spot, as it is intimately connected with the Mahatma’s philosophy of non-violence.

The museum houses artefacts used by Mahatma Gandhi during his stay. It also houses documents and letters.

Every year, his birth and death anniversaries, on October 2 and January 30, respectively, are celebrated with much fanfare here.

 

বেলেঘাটা গান্ধীভবন অধিগ্রহণ করবে রাজ্য

বহু স্মৃতিবিজড়িত বেলেঘাটার গান্ধীভবনে মানবাধিকার দিবস উপলক্ষে এক অনুষ্ঠানে তৃণমূল সাংসদ সুদীপ বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় ঘোষণা করেন, এই ঐতিহাসিক ভবনটি সরকার দেখভাল করবে। এ ব্যাপারে তাঁর সঙ্গে মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের কথা হয়েছে। গান্ধীভবনের কিছু কাজ পূর্ত দপ্তর দেখত। এখন পুরোটাই সরকার দেখবে।

স্বাধীনতার আগে দাঙ্গার সময় বেলেঘাটায় বড় গোলমাল হয়। দু’পক্ষই দাঙ্গায় জড়িয়ে পড়ে। গান্ধীজি আসেন। তিনি অনশনে বসেন। দু’দিন পর দুই সম্প্রদায়ের কয়েকজন প্রতিনিধি গান্ধীজির সঙ্গে দেখা করেন। তাঁকে আশ্বাস দিয়ে বলেন, আমরা শান্তিতে থাকব। আর গোলমাল হবে না। গান্ধীজি অনশন প্রত্যাহার করে নেন। গান্ধীভবনের এই বাড়িটির আগে নাম ছিল হায়দারি মঞ্জিল।

দাঙ্গার সময় প্রায় মাসখানেক গান্ধীজি বেলেঘাটায় ছিলেন। তাঁর মৃত্যুর পর থেকেই বেলেঘাটার এই গান্ধীভবনে ২ অক্টোবর তাঁর জন্মদিন ও ৩০ জানুয়ারি তাঁর মৃত্যুদিন পালন করা হয়। একটি মিউজিয়ামও রয়েছে। গান্ধীজির ব্যবহৃত চরকাটিও সযত্নে রাখা আছে এই গান্ধীভবনে। বহু দুষ্প্রাপ্য ছবি রয়েছে। দেওয়ালে পর পর টাঙানো রয়েছে এই ছবিগুলি।

গান্ধীভবনে এসে নিয়মিত যাতে দর্শকরা সব কিছু দেখতে পান, তার জন্য সরকার বিশেষ উদ্যোগ নেবে। সাধারণ মানুষের জন্য খুলে দেওয়া হবে গান্ধীভবনের দরজা। প্রচার করা হবে।

গান্ধীভবনটি দীর্ঘ দিন ধরে পূর্ব কলকাতা গান্ধী স্মারক সমিতি এবং পূর্ব কলকাতা বাপুজি স্মারক সমিতি যৌথ উদ্যোগে দেখাশোনা করে। বিভিন্ন সময়ে সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানেরও আয়োজন করে এই দুই সমিতি। এবার বড় কাজটি করতে চলেছেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়।

Source: Aajkal

WB CM slams replacement of the Gandhi ji’s picture with the PM’s in KVIC calendar

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In a statement on Twitter today, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the replacement of the picture of the ‘Father of the Nation’, Mahatma Gandhi and the symbol charkha with the Prime Minister’s picture in the 2017 wall calendar and table diary published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

She wrote: “The great symbol of charka and Mahatma Gandhi now gets replaced by Modi babu”.

She went on to write: “In the calendar and diary of Khadi (KVIC) 2017 Modi replaced Mahatma Gandhi ji. Gandhiji is the Father of the Nation. Modi ji what???”

 

গান্ধীজির জায়গায় মোদীর ছবি, ক্ষোভ প্রকাশ মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের

খাদি গ্রামোদ্যোগ কমিশনের ওয়াল ক্যালেন্ডার ও টেবিল ডায়েরিতে মহাত্মা গান্ধীর বদলে এ বছর জায়গা করে নিয়েছেন নরেন্দ্র মোদি। এই ইস্যুতে টুইটারে ক্ষোভ প্রকাশ করলেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়।

টুইটারে তিনি লিখেছেন, “অহিংসার প্রতীক চরকা ও গান্ধীজির জায়গায় এখন নরেন্দ্র মোদীর ছবি। খাদি গ্রামোদ্যোগ কমিশনের ওয়াল ক্যালেন্ডার ও টেবিল ডায়েরিতে মহাত্মা গান্ধীর বদলে রয়েছে মোদীর ছবি। গান্ধীজি জাতির জনক ছিলেন, মোদী বাবু তাহলে কি?”
Statement by Mamata Banerjee on Twitter:

 

WB CM pays homage to Tagore and Gandhi ji at London

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West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid floral tributes at the statue of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore in Gordon Square. She gifted Kalighat pat paintings from Bengal to Tagore Centre in UK. Later, she paid floral tributes at the statue of Gandhi ji in Parliament Square.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also paid homage to APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, who had passed away on Monday.

The West Bengal Chief Minister informed that she has asked the Indian High Commissioner in UK, to inquire whether the Bengal Government could buy the house and conserve it. “The State Government is keen to buy the house where Tagore lived. Tagore is our pride. It is a private property and therefore I have asked our high commissioner to see if we can strike a deal,” the Chief Minister told.

Tagore had visited London in 1912 and spent time at 3 Vale of Heath, Hampstead, where he is believed to have written and translated to English the Nobel Prize-winning `Geetanjali’.

A blue plaque over the door put in 1961 already commemorates the house and reads “The Indian Poet stayed here in 1912“.

The Chief Minister has also asked the Indian High Commissioner to trace out a house in London belonging to Sister Nivedita.

She said that on the eve of her UK visit, the secretary Maharaj of the Belur Math requested her to see whether the house where Sister Nivedita lived could be designated with a blue plaque. By showing us the buildings where famous people have lived and worked, blue plaques celebrate the architecture of London’s streets and the diversity and achievements of its past residents. London’s blue plaques scheme, founded in 1866, is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the world.

“I have asked the Indian High Commissioner whether he could speak with the mayor of London and install a blue plaque on Sister Nivedita’s house,“ the West Bengal Chief Minister said.

 

Images taken from Twitter

Release all Netaji files more than 50 years old: Sugata Bose to Centre

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Eminent historian, grand nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Jadavpur MP Sugata Bose today urged the government of India to release all files related to Netaji. He also demanded that the government make it clear why and under whose orders were freedom fighters and members of Netaji’s family under surveillance post independence.

“The government must immediately clarify the reasons and under whose orders the surveillance was carried out, the date on which the surveillance began and the date on which it ended and the reasons for the gross invasion of privacy of the law-abiding citizens and freedom fighters,” he said.

Dr Bose added, “This is not a family matter. It is an important national and historical matter that must not be allowed to degenerate into party-political controversies. A decision should be taken at the highest level to immediately release all files more than 50 years old to put an end to unnecessary speculation.”

He also urged upon the government to follow the primary lesson of Netaji’s life and work. “To honour Netaji’s memory, let us ensure minorities in India feel safe and secure & that they continue to enjoy equal rights,” Sugata Bose said.

Click here to read the full transcript of his speech

Sugata Bose speaks on the issue of surveillance on Netaji’s family | Full Transcript

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Full Transcript

Madam, I speak on a matter of historical importance. The whole country has been shocked by revelation of several files. The government of India, through its intelligence agencies, conducted intrusive surveillance for two decades after independence on freedom fighters, who made huge sacrifices for the nation during the freedom struggle, under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The surveillance included opening, reading and copying the correspondence between Netaji’s nephew and freedom fighter Sisir Kumar Bose in Kolkata and Netaji’s wife Emily in Vienna. There is also evidence that veterans of the Azad Hind Movement, including SA Aiyer, Netaji’s Minister for Publicity, were put under surveillance in Mumbai.

The Home Minister is present here. The government must immediately clarify the reasons and under whose orders the surveillance was carried out, the date on which the surveillance began and the date on which it ended and the reasons for the gross invasion of privacy of the law-abiding citizens and freedom fighters.

This is not a family matter. It is an important national and historical matter that must not be allowed to degenerate into party-political controversies. A decision should be taken at the highest level to immediately release all files more than 50 years old to put an end to unnecessary speculation.

Madam Speaker, you may remember the historic midnight session on 15 August, 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India’s independence. Voices of three iconic leaders of India’s freedom struggle – Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – had been played at the Central Hall of the Parliament. Let us be respectful towards all of these leaders while we address this issue.

Let us not forget the primary lesson from Netaji’s life and work. United, all of the religions of India – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians – and all the linguistic groups of India fought under the leadership of Netaji. To honour Netaji’s memory, let us ensure minorities in India feel safe and secure & that they continue to enjoy equal rights.