Embassy of India Beirut on 2 October 2017 organized public celebration of Gandhi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday- observed as International Day of Non-Violence) in cooperation with the American University of Beirut, Lebanese-Indian Friendship Parliamentary Committee (LIFPC) and Association for Development of Lebanese-India Relations (ADLIR), at American University of Beirut. The event included screening of documentaries on Mahatma Gandhi followed by panel discussion and cultural programme. The distinguished panelists were Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri President of AUB, HE Ali Osseiran Member of Parliament and Chairman LIFPC, Henri Sfeir Chairman of the Board of Directors of Adcom Bank and Founder of Independent Communication Network and HE Sanjiv Arora Ambassador of India to Lebanon.
On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind said: “Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of sanitation personnel and Government Departments. Today, India is fighting a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene through the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. Gandhiji believed that ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. He visualised cleanliness as having three dimensions- a clean mind, a clean body and clean surroundings. Let us also commit ourselves to ensuring public hygiene, personal hygiene and environmental hygiene”
Mahatma Gandhi conveyed a quintessential message to the country through his endeavors to teach individuals around him about cleanliness. He wished to see a perfect India where individuals work as an inseparable unit to make the Nation clean.
To fulfill the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
Shri Narendra Modi launched Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission at Rajpath in New Delhi on 2nd October 2014. While launching this national campaign, the Prime Minister said: “A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.” The Prime Minister has spread the message of Swachh Bharat by urging people through his words & action.
By inviting people to participate in the drive, the Swachhata Abhiyan (Cleanliness Drive) has turned into a National Movement. A sense of responsibility has been evoked among the people through the Clean India Movement. With citizens now becoming active participants in cleanliness activities across the Nation, the dream of a ‘Clean India’ once seen by Mahatma Gandhi has begun to get a shape.
We can no more gain God’s blessing with an unclean body than with an unclean mind. A clean body cannot reside in an unclean city. – М.К. Gandhi