The 146th Birth Anniversary of the Father
of the Nation was observed in a most meaningful manner by the Centre for
Gandhian Studies on 2nd October, 2015. Mahatma Gandhi is not the
past but the future of humanity and the need for practising his ideals is felt
more than ever before today. On the occasion, the Dean and Principal, Prof.K.Siva Rama
Krishna delivered the welcome address. This was followed by inspiring speeches
by Dr. MVVS Murthi, Hon’ble President, GITAM, Prof. K.
Ramakrishna Rao, Hon’ble Chancellor, GITAM University and Prof. G.
Subrahmanyam, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor. All the dignitaries stressed on the need
to implement Gandhism in day to day life and emphasized how GITAM has been
modelled around the Gandhian ideology.
The Chief Guests of the day were the famous Gandhian
couple from Bhimavaram, Dr. M.R. Raju and Mrs. Subhadra Devi Raju. An
internationally known radiologist and physicist, Dr.M.R.Raju gave up his
glittering career in the States to return to India and serve the rural poor by
offering affordable treatment for cancer. He is ably assisted by his
freedom-fighter and social worker wife Mrs. Subhadra Devi Raju who set up the
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical Trust in Bhimavaram in 1976 to offer the best
yet most affordable treatment for the poor. Their state-of-the-art
International Cancer Centre was inaugurated in 2006 by their great admirer Dr.
APJ Abdul Kalam. It was indeed inspiring to listen to the veteran couple
sharing their experiences and views on how to implement Gandhian ideals in
modern India by working to develop the villagers.
This
was followed by the release of the GITAM Journal of Gandhian Studies and
distribution of prizes to the winners of various competitions organised for
students and faculty as part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. Dr.B.Nalini,
Assistant Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies proposed the Vote of Thanks.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Rositta Joseph, Assistant Professor in
English.
